IDF diabetes Atlas: A worldwide review of studies utilizing retinal photography to screen for diabetic retinopathy from 2017 to 2024 inclusive
Authors' conclusion
Global DR prevalence remains between 20 and 30%. However, variations in study design and regional practices limit trend interpretation. International screening guidelines, supported by advancing technology, are needed to produce robust epidemiological data for global Eye Health policy planning.
Study context
- Population
- Studies using retinal imaging to screen for diabetic retinopathy (DR), English-language articles published 2017 to June 2024, across the 7 IDF regions42 studies
- Outcome
- Global prevalence of DR based on retinal imaging
Methodological details569 publications screened (blinded, Rayyan); databases: Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline
- 569 publications screened (blinded, Rayyan); databases: Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Global prevalence across the 7 IDF regions
Any DR
23 %
95 % CI: 20–26
Proliferative DR (PDR)
6 %
95 % CI: 3–9
Diabetic macular oedema (DMO)
5 %
95 % CI: 4–6
Sight-threatening DR (STDR)
11 %
95 % CI: 9–14
Further pooled results
Change vs 2015-2019 data
- Any DR decreased
- from 27 % to 23 %
- PDR increased
- from 1.4 % to 6 %
- DMO remained stable
- ∼5%
Original publication
IDF diabetes Atlas: A worldwide review of studies utilizing retinal photography to screen for diabetic retinopathy from 2017 to 2024 inclusive. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 25 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →