PubMed ID: 15606460
Author(s): Hansen AB, Sander B, Larsen M, Kleener J, Borch-Johnsen K, Klein R, Lund-Andersen H. Screening for diabetic retinopathy using a digital non-mydriatic camera compared with standard 35-mm stereo colour transparencies. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2004 Dec;82(6):656-65. PMID 15606460
Journal: Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, Volume 82, Issue 6, Dec 2004
PURPOSE To investigate the use of a digital non-mydriatic camera for determining the ETDRS clinical level of diabetic retinopathy, and to evaluate its use in a screening setting to appropriately determine the need for referral to an ophthalmologist (ETDRS level > or = 35).
METHODS A total of 83 patients with diabetes were photographed with and without pharmacological pupil dilation at an ophthalmology department using a digital non-mydriatic camera, obtaining two sets of five non-stereoscopic, 45 degree field images of each eye. ETDRS seven standard field, 35-mm stereoscopic colour fundus photographs were also obtained. A subgroup of 59 patients was photographed at an optician’s shop using the digital non-mydriatic camera without pupil dilation.
RESULTS There was substantial agreement between the clinical level of diabetic retinopathy assessed from the 35-mm photographs and the digital images: the ophthalmology department (kappa = 0.76) with pupil dilation and (kappa = 0.66) without pupil dilation, respectively, and at the optician’s (kappa = 0.60 without pupil dilation). With respect to the need for referral to an ophthalmologist, there was almost perfect agreement in the ophthalmology department (kappa = 0.88) with pupil dilation and (kappa = 0.84) without pupil dilation, respectively, and those taken at the optician’s (kappa = 0.87 without pupil dilation).
CONCLUSION A digital non-mydriatic camera may be used in a screening situation to appropriately determine the need for referral to an ophthalmologist (ETDRS level > or = 35).