Dubai Health Authority introduces telemedicine for diabetic eye-checkups.

• Diabetes retinopathy check-ups now possible without visiting an ophthalmologist.

• All diabetic clinics across DHA primary healthcare centres have installed digital retinal cameras, images to be sent to ophthalmologists in Dubai Hospital via telemedicine.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 15, 2014: In a move to ensure convenience for diabetic patients, the DHA announced today, that it will implement telemedicine in the field of diabetic eye-care.

HE. Eng. Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said: “Diabetics who visit the DHA facilities will no longer have to go to an ophthalmologist for their annual eye check-ups. Every diabetic clinic in DHA primary healthcare centres are fitted with digital retinal cameras. Patients can get their retinal check-up at the centre during their regular follow-up appointment and the films will be sent electronically to the ophthalmology department at Dubai Hospital.

“Ophthalmologists then examine the patient file, blood reports and correlate this with the captured images. Basic treatment plan will be prescribed based on the reports and only those patients that need further investigation will have to visit the ophthalmologists at the hospital.
This has multiple advantages. Through telemedicine we can detect diabetic retinopathy early on. It is cost effective because healthcare settings do not need to employ ophthalmologists across every health centre. The images can be taken by a diabetic nurse.”

Al Maidoor said in the first phase, 18 digital cameras have been fitted across DHA diabetes clinics and henceforth all new health centres will follow the same system.

Dr Manal Taryam, CEO of Primary Health Care at the DHA, said: In the UAE, diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of irreversible blindness. There are few warning signs for early detection and therefore often the disease goes unnoticed. That's why it's so important for people living with diabetes to have annual eye screenings to check for any changes in the retina or optic nerve. The earlier we detect it, the easier it is to manage the condition and prevent blindness. “Research has shown that a retinal photograph, even without a dilated eye, can show the early stages or diabetic retinopathy.

“Unfortunately, many people living with diabetes don’t take the time out for eye screenings and we believe that Telemedicine will help combat these issues.

“For example, diabetics in Al Lussaily Health Centre, previously needed to visit Dubai Hospital for their retinal check-ups, however, they no longer need to book an appointment, travel to Dubai Hospital and wait for their eye-checkup. Now the retinopathy screening is part of the process when they visit the diabetes clinic at Al Lussaily Health Centre.

“Telemedicine has made the lives of patients easier, it has also helped doctors with early screening and we believe this technology will go a long way in improving patient outcomes,” said Dr Taryam.