Telemedicine-based diabetic retinopathy screening in patients over 70 Years: a French cohort study within the OPHDIAT network
Authors' conclusion
Teleophthalmology-based DR screening appeared feasible and clinically relevant in patients aged ≥70 years, allowing identifying patients requiring ophthalmologic evaluation, while also detecting other age-related ocular diseases. Pupil dilation is recommended to optimize image quality in this population.
Study context
- Population
- Diabetic patients without known diabetic retinopathy (DR) or with mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR), screened in 2024 in 32 OPHDIAT centers; two non-mydriatic retinal photographs per eye
- Participants
- 16,459 patients
- Exposure
- Patients aged ≥70 years vs 18-69 years
- ≥ 70 yearsn = 2,820
- < 70 yearsn = 13,639reference
- Outcome
- Any DR
Methodological detailsmulticentre, teleophthalmology screening network
- Multicentre
- Teleophthalmology screening network
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | ≥ 70 years | < 70 years | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referred for moderate NPDR or more severe, incl. suspected macular edema | 6.1% (95% CI 5.2–6.9) | 6.1% (95% CI 5.6–6.5) | |
| Severe NPDR or proliferative DRRare in both groups | 1.0% (95% CI 0.6–1.4%) | 1.7% (95% CI 1.5–1.9%) | P < 0.001 |
| Ungradable images | 14.4% (95% CI 13.1–15.7%) | 6.1% (95% CI 5.7–6.5%) | P < 0.001 |
| Other ocular disorders (incl. age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma) | 2.1% (95% CI 1.5–2.6%) | 0.6% (95% CI 0.4–0.7%) | P < 0.001 |
Referred for moderate NPDR or more severe, incl. suspected macular edema
- Did not significantly differ between age groups
Ungradable images
- Particularly in phakic eyes; 80% of patients ≥70 years had interpretable images for both eyes
- Pupil dilation significantly improved image quality in ≥70 years
Original publication
Telemedicine-based diabetic retinopathy screening in patients over 70 Years: a French cohort study within the OPHDIAT network. Diabetes Metab. Published 15 January 2026. doi:10.
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