A national systematic diabetic retinopathy screening programme for Scotland should be established to detect referable retinopathy. The screening programme should:
- Utilise a three-stage process based on non-mydriatic digital cameras, with the use of mydriasis and slit lamps, where necessary. - Be performed by appropriately trained, accredited, and competent professionals. - Enhance existing schemes to achieve the approved quality-assured specifications. - Ensure screening is accessible to all diabetic patients, whether they receive community and/or hospital based diabetic care. Local implementation may include services in diabetes centres, primary health care facilities, mobile vans or community optometrists. - Be evaluated as the screening programme is implemented and reviewed in the light of further research to enable optimal service provision.