Dubai: A telemedicine tool aims to help reduce diabetic retinopathy, a disease which can lead to blindness, will be installed in Dubai, said health authorities.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced on Wednesday at the on-going Gitex that it is introducing retinal cameras installed at certain eye clinics without having to go to a hospital.
The cameras will be helpful for diabetics who may be facing irreversible blindness.
The Director General of DHA, Eisa Al Maidour said: “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.
A 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,” he said and added that in the first phase 18 digital cameras were fitted across DHA diabetes clinics.
Cost effective
Introduction of the telemedicine facility is cost-effective as several eye clinics are able to share their opthalmologists.
Nurses will be able to take the images. Dr Manal Taryam, CEO of Primary Health Care at the DHA, welcomed the move.
“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.”
