This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.

To undertake a systematic literature review followed by a primary study to assess the performance of digital imaging, compared with other modalities, in screening for, and monitoring the development of, diabetic retinopathy.

The study addressed three questions: - Can a digital imaging system detect retinopathy irrespective of sort or level? - Can a digital imaging system detect progression of retinopathy? - Can a digital imaging system determine when treatment is required?

Digital imaging: In the context of a national screening programme for referable retinopathy, digital imaging is an effective method. In addition, technical failure rates are lower with digital imaging than conventional photography. Digital imaging is also a more sensitive technique than slit-lamp examination by optometrists.

Automated grading of digital images: Automated grading can improve efficiency by correctly identifying just under half the population as having no retinopathy.

http://www.inahta.org/Publications/Briefs-Checklist-Impact/20032/200414-The-Value-of-Digital-Imaging-in-Diabetic-Retinopathy/