8 Minutes
By: Edward Chaum, M.D., Ph.D., Margy Ann and J. Donald M. Gass Chair in Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute (Emeritus)
As providers, we know diabetic retinopathy is one of the most preventable and treatable causes of blindness — and yet, it remains one of the most common. The challenge isn’t just clinical; it’s also logistical.
Patients aren’t compliant with getting their annual diabetic retinal exam, access to exams can be limited and healthcare resources can be stretched thin. That’s where Ocular Telehealth programs come into play — not as a replacement for in-person exams, but as a powerful extension of our care for a very large and growing cohort of patients at risk for vision loss and blindness.
Let’s talk about how Ocular Telehealth programs are reshaping diabetic retinopathy exams, what’s working, what’s not, and how we can lead the way forward.
First, the obvious — Ocular Telehealth programs help increase access to exams. Ocular Telehealth programs allow us to reach patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks — those in rural areas, underserved communities, or who can’t make it to a clinic due to work, transportation or mobility issues. With remote retinal imaging and cloud-based platforms, we can bring the diabetic retinopathy screening to them.
One proven model is the Welch Allyn RetinaVue care delivery model, which enables primary care teams to perform retinal exams during routine visits. Images are securely transmitted through the Welch Allyn RetinaVue Network to remote ophthalmologists who are part of RetinaVue, P.C. Diagnostic reports are returned within one business day — making exam workflows simple and easy for patients and clinical staff.
Second, Ocular Telehealth programs enable cost-effective care. Remote exams not only can help increase access but can lower overall cost of care. Once complications such as diabetic retinopathy develop, the average cost of care triples compared with patients who have diabetes but no complications.1
And third, Ocular Telehealth programs can help preserve vision in patients living with diabetes. When we catch diabetic retinopathy early, we can intervene early. That’s the difference between preserving vision and managing irreversible damage that leads to vision loss. With early diagnosis and treatment, severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy can be reduced by 95%.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. One of the biggest hurdles is image quality. Not every clinic has trained staff or the right equipment to capture high-resolution retinal images. The impact of poor image quality means it can be difficult to determine a diagnosis — or worse, can lead to a missed diagnosis. 2
Solutions like the Welch Allyn RetinaVue 700 Imager address this challenge by offering high-quality, easy-to-use retinal imaging designed for primary care and other point-of-care settings. With built-in user guidance and automated image capture, it helps staff manage patients in busy patient care environments.
And let’s not forget patient engagement. Remote care can feel impersonal. Without the face-to-face connection, some patients can disengage. We need to find ways for primary care providers to continue educating patients on key aspects of diabetes management, to keep them involved, informed and motivated.3
So how do we make Ocular Telehealth programs work for diabetic retinopathy exams? Here are a few strategies that have proven effective in my experience:
Ocular Telehealth solutions aren’t just a tool — they are a shift in the paradigm of eye care and how we think about care delivery. For diabetic retinopathy, they offer a chance to help detect disease earlier, potentially reach more patients and reduce disparities. Solutions like the RetinaVue care delivery model are helping us bring high-quality screening into primary care and community settings.
But it’s up to us, as providers and healthcare leaders, to implement these tools thoughtfully, address the challenges and ensure they complement — not complicate — our clinical workflows.
Let's lead the way with early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, which may empower your patients to protect their vision and quality of life.
