Northern Health Programs

Family Physicians - Manitoba | Diabetic Retinal Screening | Diabetic Foot | Island Lake Regional Renal Health | Medical Specialists | Med Rehab

Diabetic Retinal Screening

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Initially trialed in 1997, the NMU introduced the Diabetic Retinal Screening Program in May of 2005 as a permanent program. With nurses visiting the communities once a month travel by patients to Winnipeg is avoided and more patients are able to be screened.

Specialised photographic equipment is used to conduct the eye examinations. The photographs specifically look for diabetic retinopathy as well as other eye problems that might or might not be related to diabetes such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

The digital images are uploaded to a web-server to be interpreted by an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist is able to diagnose levels of diabetic retinopathy as well as other ophthalmology concerns including cataracts and glaucoma.