The Nonmydriatic Fundus Camera in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: A Cost-Effective Study with Evaluation for Future Large-Scale Application

Author:

Scarpa Giuseppe1,Urban Francesca1,Vujosevic Stela2ORCID,Tessarin Michele3,Gallo Giovanni3,Visentin Annalisa4ORCID,Foglia Emanuela5ORCID,Ferrario Lucrezia5ORCID,Midena Edoardo26

Affiliation:

1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ca Foncello Hospital, ULSS 9 TREVISO, 31100 Treviso, Italy

2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy

3. General Management, Ca Foncello Hospital, ULSS 9 TREVISO, 31100 Treviso, Italy

4. Primary Care Physicians Coordinating Body, Ca Foncello Hospital, ULSS 9 TREVISO, 31100 Treviso, Italy

5. Centre for Research on Health Economics, Social and Health Care Management (CREMS), LIUC-Università Cattaneo, 21053 Castellanza, Italy

6. Fondazione G. B. Bietti, IRCCS, Roma, Italy

Abstract

Aims. The study aimed to present the experience of a screening programme for early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using a nonmydriatic fundus camera, evaluating the feasibility in terms of validity, resources absorption, and future advantages of a potential application, in an Italian local health authority. Methods. Diabetic patients living in the town of Ponzano, Veneto Region (Northern Italy), were invited to be enrolled in the screening programme. The “no prevention strategy” with the inclusion of the estimation of blindness related costs was compared with screening costs in order to evaluate a future extensive and feasible implementation of the procedure, through a budget impact approach. Results. Out of 498 diabetic patients eligible, 80% was enrolled in the screening programme. 115 patients (34%) were referred to an ophthalmologist and 9 cases required prompt treatment for either proliferative DR or macular edema. Based on the pilot data, it emerged that an extensive use of the investigated screening programme, within the Greater Treviso area, could prevent 6 cases of blindness every year, resulting in a saving of 271,543.32 (−13.71%). Conclusions. Fundus images obtained with a nonmydriatic fundus camera could be considered an effective, cost-sparing, and feasible screening tool for the early detection of DR, preventing blindness as a result of diabetes.

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Subject

Ophthalmology

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