Abstract

AIM: To report the results of Bahrain diabetic retinopathy photo screening program during 2007

Methods: We audited the results of diabetic retinopathy photo screening program using digital retinal camera in Bahrain from the period January 2007 till December 2007

Results: A total of 3265 patients were screened by digital retinal camera 2359 patients (72 %) showed no diabetic retinal changes. Mild nonproliferative changes were noticed in 711 patients (22%). Moderate nonproliferative changes were noticed in 83 patients (3%) Severe nonproliferative changes were noticed in 11 patients (0.3%). Proliferative retinopathy changes were noticed in 44 patients (1 %). Maculopathy was found in 123 patients (4%).

Conclusion: Digital retinal photo screening is practical in Health Centers and it can detect the normal retina from the retinopathy changes in diabetic patients accurately. Its implementation has been associated with a reduction in presentations with vision-threatening retinopathy within the total community. The normal eyes on initial photo screening yearly repeat photo screening schedule for this group.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy screening program, diabetic screening by digital camera, Proliferative retinopathy, nonproliferative retinopathy.