Five-year incidence of diabetic retinopathy in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to describe the 5-year incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP) cohort. Methods: Baseline examinations were conducted from 1992 to 1994 and follow-up data were collected 5 years later. Data collected during the baseline and follow-up studies included medical history (including previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus) and dilated fundus examination. Two 30° stereoscopic fundus photographs were taken with a Topcon TRC fundus camera, one centred on the optic disc and the other centred on the fovea. Photographs from participants who reported having diabetes were graded for diabetic retinopa..