Validation of A New Alternative Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Method – Retinal Video Recording

1. Daniel Shu Wei Ting^1,2,3
2. Mei Ling Tay-Kearney^1,2
3. Ian Constable¹
4. Liam Lim²
5. David Preen⁴
6. Yogesan Kanagasingam³

¹Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia
²Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia
³Commonwealth Scientific Industrial and Research Organization
⁴Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia

Purpose:
To validate the use of retinal video recording as a new and easier alternative to screen for diabetic retinopathy

Methods:
A total of 150 eyes were recruited from Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Clinic of Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia. All patients were screened using 3 different imaging modes – retinal video recording (EyeScan, OIS), retinal still photography (Zeiss FF 450 plus) and 'gold-standard' slit lamp biomicroscopy examination. Sensitivity, specificity and technical failure rate for each imaging mode were calculated.

Results:
The mean (±SD) age of participants was 53.4 ± 16.4 years, duration of diabetes was 14.7 ± 10.8 years and mean HbA1c was 8.0 ± 1.7%. The sensitivity and specificity of video recording for detecting the presence of any diabetic retinopathy was 96.5% and 98.9% respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of retinal photography was 93.0.4% and 98.9% respectively for any diabetic retinopathy. Both imaging modes had 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting sight threatening diabetic retinopathy. Technical failure rate for retinal video recording and retinal photography were 6.0% and 5.0% respectively.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, retinal video recording is an alternative new, easy-to-operate and effective diabetic retinopathy screening technique which can be utilized by both medical and non-medical personnel with minimal training. By recruiting more allied health workers to screen for diabetic retinopathy, this will help to reduce the incidence of diabetes-related visual impairment, particularly in rural areas and developing countries.