Establishing a diabetes retinal screening service in South Western Sydney : patient satisfaction with retinal imaging and the correlation between diabetic retinopathy and quality of life

Xingdi Wang, Jason R. Daley, David Simmons, Uchechukwu L. Osuagwu, Vallimayil Vellayutham, Chee L. Khoo, Peter Heydon, Gerald Liew, Kate McBride, Marko Andric, Shweta Kaushik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: The multicentre, prospective South Western Eye and Diabetes Deep Learning Algorithm study has developed a new diabetes retinal screening service, incorporating a novel deep learning algorithm, for a low socioeconomic, multi-ethnic, outer-metropolitan Sydney region. This preliminary report examines patient satisfaction with retinal imaging and correlation between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and quality of life (QOL). Methods: Supported by an Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia grant, South Western Eye and Diabetes Deep Learning Algorithm participants were recruited from diabetes outpatient clinics and underwent two-field, table-top fundus photography and ocular coherence tomography. Questionnaires regarding patient satisfaction with retinal imaging and self-perceived QOL (EQ5D) were completed. Proportion of participants with high satisfaction levels were reported and mean self-perceived QOL (EQ-VAS) scores for those with and without DR were compared. Results: The study is ongoing and preliminary data (n = 54) is presented. DR was detected in 50.0% of recruited participants. All participants found it very convenient to undergo photography on the same day as their diabetes appointment and 83.3% would undergo retinal imaging for DR screening again. This was despite 50.0% of participants requiring pharmacological pupil dilation. Preliminary QOL data showed that although DR did not correlate with greater disability, pain or anxiety/depression, average selfperceived health was lower (mean EQ-VAS scores of 68.3% vs 76.3%) in participants with DR than those without DR. Conclusions: The correlation between DR and lower self-perceived QOL, occurring independently of both visual acuity and knowledge of DR diagnosis, supports the need for efficient screening and early treatment. Retinal imaging was well-tolerated with an overwhelming preference for same-day outpatient DR screening.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)899-900
Number of pages2
JournalClinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Volume49
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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