Keep it in Focus: Diabetic Retinal Exam

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up vital sectors of the economy. Many industries have been forced to adapt and identify creative ways of handling multiple bottlenecks and barriers resulting from the pandemic—especially healthcare.

Heavy demands on finances, personnel, and equipment have left healthcare facilities stretched thin. As a result, many healthcare services, like diabetic retinopathy exams,  have inadvertently taken a back seat to testing, preventing the spread, and the treatment of those with severe cases.

In some instances, clinics may have been compelled to pause diabetic retinopathy exam (DRE) programs. In other cases, patients may have missed their annual DRE for fear of coming into contact with COVID-19. Due to these unprecedented circumstances, we expect to see a drop in the already low compliance rate of roughly 40% for the DRE.

Looking to 2021, healthcare systems and providers can ensure a sound and comprehensive DRE program by partnering with IRIS.

Diabetic Retinopathy Exams in 2021

In 2021, healthcare providers are faced with the tall task of continuing the fight against COVID-19 while also investing in other highly critical health services such as the DRE. Today, vaccination efforts well-underway in the United States, and adults with diabetes rank high in priority. Health care organizations can greatly improve DRE compliance with the implementation of the IRIS solution.

The American Diabetes Association recommends is that patients with diabetes receive a retinal exam every year. The routine nature of the exams is necessary for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and subsequent treatment to prevent vision loss.

Too often, patients with diabetes wait until they notice changes to their vision before seeking a diabetic retinopathy exam. Unfortunately, at this point, there may already be irreversible damage to their eyesight. The adoption of an in-house solution for capturing diabetic retinal exams solves for this issue.

Establishing an Effective and Sound Diabetic Retinopathy Exam Program

IRIS provides healthcare providers with all the necessary resources and support to boost compliance and save their patient’s vision.–

You can improve your quality of care and ensure better patient outcomes with IRIS. Contact us today for more information.

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