Examine Your Visual Search Strategies to Improve Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Examine Your Visual Search Strategies to Improve Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Date: 22/11/2023 (AEDT)

Venue: 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216

Provider: Deakin University

Contact: Alissa Maillet, [E] alissa.maillet@deakin.edu.au, [P] (03) 5227 8262

Activity Outline

Diabetic retinopathy screening is a core part of optometry practice, with approximately 10% of the adult population having diabetes. While optometrists know what to look for, it can be difficult to see the subtleties of the disease in some cases. This can lead to mild or moderate retinopathy being undiagnosed and missing an opportunity for early intervention. Is there a way we can make this more efficient and accurate?

Visual search strategies have been shown to improve screening for glaucoma, as described in the FORGE study. There, the underlying pathophysiology was leveraged to determine where to look for signs of disease, and in which order, which has been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy. For diabetic retinopathy, we understand the pathophysiology, but it is not clear if there is an efficient strategy that can be leveraged to make this screening more accurate or efficient.

This interactive workshop will delve into diabetic retinopathy from a clinical perspective, looking at why certain features occur, where they are likely to occur, and the gaze patterns of expert clinicians. From this a visual search strategy will be suggested which participants will have the opportunity to test in the workshop, with an eye tracker used to show their own gaze patterns to allow reflection on their search behaviour.

Therapeutic management of diabetic retinopathy will also be covered, including the potential benefits of systemic medications such as Fenofibrate.

The workshop will include between 45 and 60 minutes of interactive workshop activities and 1 hour of lectures and group discussions. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on the content of the workshop, which can be used in their individual learning plan.

Learning Objectives

• Reinforce their knowledge of the contemporary understanding of pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy
• Have an understanding of how systemic therapies such as fenofibrate can reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy
• Understand where diabetic retinopathy is likely to occur within the posterior pole
• Understand how expert clinicians screen retinal photographs for diabetic retinopathy in order to reflect on strategies that may improve their own search strategies to be more accurate and efficient

Max CPD hours awarded: 2.5

Session Information