Screening for diabetic retinopathy - resources
Here are links to evidence-based resources which support this area of practice. You may also want to refer to information about the national service frameworks and strategies across the UK.
Some of the resources listed below are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
Guidelines and guidance
Department of Health (2008) Diabetic retinopathy screening statement
Diabetic retinopathy screening targets from the Department of Health.
Diabetes UK (2005) Position statement: Retinal screening
Diabetes UK has a range of position statements on different aspects of diabetes care. This position statement is on retinal screening.
Diabetes UK: Retinopathy - Your eyes and diabetes
Information from Diabetes UK on retinopathy.
English National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy (ENSPDR)
The aim of this programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by prompt identification and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2004) Diabetic retinopathy screening standard
This document contains the Clinical Standards for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in Scotland. The standards represent what are considered to be the key elements that comprise an effective screening programme, and will have a direct impact on the quality of care a person with diabetes receives on his or her journey through the screening process.
National Screening Committee (2008) Quality Assurance (QA) Standards
National Screening Committee agreed quality standards against which programmes can measure their performance.
Royal College of Ophthalmologists (2005) Guidelines for diabetic retinopathy (PDF 435.5KB)
The aim of the guidelines is to provide advice on best management of different aspects of diabetic eye disease. The guidelines are advisory and are not intended as a set of rigid rules, as individual patients will need tailored treatment for their particular condition.
Systematic reviews and evidence summaries
For more information about Cochrane Systematic Reviews, an example of which appears below, visit the page within this resource on the Cochrane Library.
Cochrane Review: Vitamin C and superoxide dismutase (SOD) for diabetic retinopathy
The aim of the current research was to review the literature in a standard systematic way in order to assess the effects of vitamin C and
superoxide dismutase on diabetic retinopathy in methodologically robust trials.
NHS Evidence - diabetes (2010) Annual evidence update on diabetic retinopathy
This update provides an up-to-date comprehensive collection of information which has been subject to rigorous selection criteria. Topics covered include: incidence and prevalence, epidemiology and progression, risk factors, screening, treatments, blindness and visual impairment and automated assessment of diabetic retinopathy.
NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme (2009) Colour vision testing for diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review of diagnostic accuracy and economic evaluation
This systematic review aimed to determine the diagnostic performance and cost-effectiveness of colour vision testing (CVT) to identify and monitor the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Other resources
Department of Health: NSF Diabetes - Retinal screening risk reduction
A practice example illustrating how a retinal screening programme is being implemented in six primary care trusts in Berkshire.
Moorfields Eye Hospital - Diabetic Retinopathy
General information on diabetic retinopathy from Moorfields Eye Hopspital.
NHS Choices: Diabetic Retinopathy
General information on diabetic retinopathy originally provided on the NHS Direct website.
National Eye Institute: Facts about diabetic retinopathy
The National Eye Institute (NEI) is an American organisation. This section of the NEI website provides answers to questions about causes and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, and discusses diagnosis and types of treatment.
National Library of Medicine MEDLINEplus service: Diabetes: eye complications
An interactive tutorial requiring Flash plug-in. A text summary is also available.
Patient UK: Diabetic retinopathy
Patient information leaflet for diabetic retinopathy.
RNIB/Royal College of Ophthalmologists: Understanding diabetes related eye conditions
General information on diabetic retinopathy from the Royal Institute for the Blind.
Royal College of Nursing Library and Information eLibrary: Frequently Asked Selected Topics (FAST) - Diabetic retinopathy
A list of references from the British Nursing Index - These lists aim to provide a useful and fast way of finding recent information on a topic. The lists of references are not intended to be comprehemsive but provide a useful introduction to a subject. (available to RCN members only). You will find a link to FAST in the left hand menu.
Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Collaborative
The Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (DRS) collaborative brings together individuals from all NHS Boards in Scotland to facilitate the delivery of the National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme.
Take control of your diabetes: retinopathy
This website is aimed at patients and professionals providing advice on looking after their diabetic retinopathy and diabetes.
UK National Screening Committee (2009) Essential elements in developing a diabetic retinopathy screening programme (PDF 577.22KB)
This workbook is designed to inform and assist SHAs and PCTs with integrating current or planned diabetic retinopathy screening programmes with the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme in England.