Screening for Visual Problems Among Elderly Patients (1995)

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RECOMMENDATION

  • There is fair evidence to include in the periodic health examination visual acuity testing with a Snellen sight chart and funduscopy or retinal photography in elderly patients with diabetes of at least 5 years’ duration. (grade B recommendation)

 

NOTE

The place of funduscopy in the detection of age-related macular degeneration and glaucomatous changes is controversial. For patients at high risk for glaucoma (positive family history, black race, severe mypoia, or diabetes) it would be prudent to have a periodic assessment by an ophthalmologist.