Effects of Quality Improvement Education in Diabetic Retinopathy on Routine Clinical Practice Patterns of Optometrists.

Significance: Optometrists play a preventive role in diabetic care by detecting early signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness in adults. This study demonstrates that additional training can improve optometrists' ability to assess the presence and severity of DR in individuals with diabetes.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the impact of a quality improvement intervention involving education, assessment, and feedback on improving the evaluation and referral patterns of optometrists with regard to their patients with diabetes.

Examination Practices and Referral of Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy by Optometrists in Routine Clinical Care.

Background And Objective: To analyze the examination practices and referral of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) by optometrists in routine clinical care.

Patients And Methods: Diabetic patient records from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of dilated fundus exam (DFE), imaging, follow-up appointments, and referrals. Concordance between clinical exam and coding was also analyzed.