Accelerating Early Detection and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy in Rural and Underserved Settings: Practical Strategies for Improving Patient-Centered Care and Visual Outcomes

Target Audience

This activity is designed specifically for primary care clinicians, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses who care for patients from rural and underserved areas.

Program Overview

Diabetic retinopathy affects an estimated 7.7 million Americans and is the most common cause of blindness in working-age adults. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of severe vision loss, but fewer than half of those with diabetes receive annual eye screening in accordance with recommended guidelines. Rural and underserved populations face greater challenges to obtaining recommended eye screening due to limited transportation and access to specialty care. In this activity, expert faculty will review current guideline recommendations for screening, classification of diabetic retinopathy, and new advances in treatment. Ways to overcome barriers and improve care access in rural and underserved communities will also be discussed.

This enduring activity is a recorded session from Rural Health Clinical Congress Spring 2022 that took place on May 21, 2022.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Utilize communication and education strategies to improve compliance with diabetic retinopathy care
• Summarize the efficacy and safety of available treatment options for diabetic retinopathy
• Examine strategies to improve multidisciplinary care of diabetic retinopathy in rural and underserved communities