Update on screening for sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: The aim of this article was to describe recent advances in the use of new technology in diabetic retinopathy screening by looking at studies that assessed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these technologies. Methods: The author conducts an ongoing search for articles relating to screening or management of diabetic retinopathy utilising Zetoc with keywords and contents page lists from relevant journals. Results: The areas discussed in this article are reference standards, alternatives to digital photography, area of retina covered by the screening method, size of the device and hand-held cameras, mydriasis versus non-mydriasis or a combination, measurement of distance visual acuity, grading of images, use of automated grading analysis and cost-effectiveness of the new technologies. Conclusions: There have been many recent advances in technology that may be adopted in the future by screening programmes for sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy but each device will need to demonstrate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness before more widespread adoption.