Introduction: Screening for diabetic retinopathy in a Danish county--are we following the recommendations? Incidence and risk factors of development and progression of diabetic retinopathy and prevalence of blindness among type 1 diabetics consulting the hospital of Hillerød are being described.
Material and methods: A total of 223 type 1 diabetics (debut < 30 years of age, insulin treated from first year of diagnosis) identified in a cross-sectional study in 1993 and followed until 2000 when data from last examination in the diabetes out-patient clinic and the ophthalmology clinic are registered.
Results: Ophthalmologists have screened nearly 97% of the patients as stated in the recommendations of the department. Only 2% were blind and only one patient went blind during the study period. The incidence of development of retinopathy was (54/119) 45%, (14/104) 13% had improved, (77/194) 40% had a progression of retinopathy, and (30/194) 15% had progressed to proliferative retinopathy. Risk factors found in the study match previously described risk factors.
Discussion: Audits encourage the implementation of screening programmes and hence reduce sight threatening diabetic retinopathy. The results of the study emphasize the importance of close co-operation between diabetes out-patient clinics and ophthalmologists and the necessity of regular screening. More audits are needed to bring screening for diabetic eye disease into focus and decrease the number of weak-sighted and blind diabetics.