This course is designed to provide information on why diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) at the primary care level, accompanied by telehealth technology and a follow up dilated eye exam, is essential to the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Continued efforts to coordinate care through DRS, telehealth, and a dilated eye exam, will impact the lives of patients and their families by saving patients with diabetes from vision loss.

• To ensure primary care clinicians screen for diabetic retinopathy for the growing number of individuals with diabetes who are asymptomatic or do not have eye-related symptoms. Screening for all patients, including those in underserved areas with minimal access to ophthalmologists and eye care, is essential.
• To expand the use of DRS with telehealth technology for patients diagnosed with diabetes so that diabetic retinopathy can be detected early. Studies have shown that treatment is more effective and less costly in the early stages of DR.
• To increase collaboration and care coordination for DRS among primary care practitioners (PCPs), ophthalmologists, optometrists, other healthcare professionals and staff, and patients.
• To create a workflow for early detection, appropriate referral and follow-up, and effective management of diabetic retinopathy.

Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be better able to:

• Define essential terminology related to DRS and telehealth services
• Describe diabetic retinopathy risk factors, symptoms, natural history, and prevention
• Examine screening techniques for diabetic retinopathy using DRS and telehealth technology
• Examine approaches for managing diabetic retinopathy using DRS and telehealth technology
• Examine screening techniques for diabetic retinopathy using DRS and telehealth technology
• Review approaches for managing diabetic retinopathy using DRS and telehealth technology
• Discuss the benefits of using DRS with telehealth technology

Arjun Dirghangi, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
UVA Health

Suruchi B. Bhui, MD
Instructor, Department of Ophthalmology
UVA Health

Funded through CDC Cooperative Agreement # NU58DP006620 in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Virginia Department of Health.

Arjun Dirghangi MD holds stock/ownership in Scanoptix
Suruchi Bhui, MD has no financial affiliations to disclose

Funded through CDC Cooperative Agreement NU58DP006620-InnoVAte in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Virginia Department of Health.

*Purchase grants one learner one year’s access to lessons and quizzes (access expires 365 days from date of course activation.)