The disease causes retina damage due to small leaking blood vessels, which can lead to blindness in some diabetics. To encourage members to have this potentially sight-saving screening, HAP is the first health plan in the nation to include this technology as a benefit. Used within the personal care physician's office, the DigiScope reduces time and cost in diagnosing a potentially irreversible disease. Since the DigiScope can be conveniently located in the personal care physician's office, patients can be examined during a regular visit. Surprisingly, less than half of all diagnosed diabetics get an annual eye exam, which is critical to detecting diabetic retinopathy.
Patient satisfaction is excellent.
The DigiScope takes digital pictures of the retina while the patients' eyes are dilated. The pictures are sent via the Internet using the latest encryption technology to the EyeTel Reading Center, maker of the DigiScope, where trained readers analyze the digital pictures. A report is sent to the HAP member's personal care physician's office within days. If a problem is detected, the patient is referred to an ophthalmologist for treatment. More importantly, it will improve the number of diabetics getting an early diagnosis.