Screening for presence or absence of diabetic retinopathy : A meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To examine how mydriasis and the medical qualifications of photographers who take retinal photographs influence the accuracy of screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: Our meta-analysis included studies that measured the sensitivity and specificity of tests designed to detect any DR, sight-threatening DR, or macular edema. Using random-effects logistic regression, we examined the effect of variations in mydriatic status and in medical qualifications of photographers on sensitivity and specificity. Results: Only the category of "any DR" had sufficient consistency in definition, number of studies (n=20), and number of assessments (n=40) for meta-analysis. Variations in my..