Do we have enough ophthalmologists to manage vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy? A global perspective.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to estimate the supply of ophthalmologists in relation to the global and regional burden of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR). Diabetes mellitus (DM) population data from seven world regions were obtained from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2017. A systematic review was performed to include population-, community-based studies that reported country-specific VTDR prevalence. Random effect meta-analysis was then performed to estimate global and regional VTDR prevalence. VTDR prevalence estimates coupled with DM population data were then used to estimate the number of VTDR cases. Global and regional number of ophthalmologists were derived from the International Council of Ophthalmology Report 2015. Fifty studies (17 from Western Pacific [WP], nine North Amer

SUBMITTER: Teo ZL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7314752 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature