Sociodemographics Associated With Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy Detected by Tele-Ophthalmology: 5-Year Results of the Toronto Tele-Retinal Screening Program.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim in this study was to describe screening outcomes and sociodemographic characteristics of patients in an urban tele-ophthalmology screening program for diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted on adults with diabetes type 1 or type 2 enrolled in the Toronto Tele-Retinal Screening Program between September 2013 and March 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 1,374 screenings were completed, of which 344 (25%) detected DR. Of all participants, 17% did not have provincial health coverage and 21% had never had an eye exam. Of the 587 patients who completed sociodemographic questionnaires, the majority (84%) were born outside of Canada, and only 62% preferred English as their spoken language. Forty percent reported a household income of <$25,000, with these participants having an increased likelihood of detectable DR (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with low income are more likely to screen positive for DR. Tele-ophthalmologic screening can be effective in an urban, culturally diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged population.