Promoting diabetic retinopathy screening

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness across the WHO European Region, with an estimated 950 000 people affected.

WHO recommends DR screening, alongside prompt treatment for those who need it, as an effective intervention for all people with diabetes to prevent vision impairment and blindness.

There is much that countries in the WHO European Region can do to improve the effectiveness of DR screening. By acting, they may reduce the burden of vision impairment and blindness due to DR in their populations.