Marked reductions in visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy achieved by efficient screening and timely treatment

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common complication of diabetes and needs to be diagnosed early to prevent severe sight‐threatening retinopathy. Digital photography with telemedicine connections is a novel way to deliver cost‐effective, accessible screening to remote areas. Screening for DR in a mobile eye examination unit (EyeMo) is compared to traditional service models (i.e. local municipal services or a commercial service provider). The quality of images, delays from screening to treatment, the stage of DR, coverage of screening and the rate of visual impairment due to DR are evaluated.