Data collected by Specsavers has revealed KeepSight – Australia’s diabetes eye check reminder program – is significantly enhancing patient adherence to regular eye health appointments. Patients enrolled in the program are returning to their optometrists more frequently for essential eye health appointments than those not registered in the program.
Since KeepSight’s inception in 2018, Specsavers has monitored the regularity that patients with diabetes return to their optometrist for an eye health check. Deidentified patient data over this period reveals program participants, who receive additional clinical reminders to book an eye examination, are 20% more likely to attend an appointment within two years compared to non-registered patients with diabetes.
According to Specsavers, which recently reached one million appointments registered with KeepSight, routine eye tests are vital for people with diabetes, as they can help to prevent severe complications from diabetes-related eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy. Early detection of vision changes makes these conditions treatable, helping to avoid vision loss.
Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers clinical services director ANZ, highlighted the program’s impact on patient health outcomes.
“With almost six years of data, we can see a year-on-year trend emerging. It’s clear that those patients who consent to be part of the KeepSight program are more likely to return to see their optometrist for their essential eye health checks,” he says.
“As a founding partner of KeepSight, these results are a source of immense pride for Specsavers. The dedication of our optometrists in consistently registering patients to the program, and with the help of our industry partners, we’re really making inroads in our mission to ensure no one in Australia goes needlessly blind due to diabetes.”
Specsavers optometrist Mr Yong Su says flagging every consenting patient with diabetes in KeepSight is part of his process in the test room.
“Regular eye checks are crucial for people with diabetes, and I think KeepSight reminders help busy people remember to prioritise their eye health. The additional prompts help people stay on top of their scheduled appointments, which can help to reduce the risk of complications and helps to preserve their vision.”
Earlier detection of diabetic retinopathy
An essential component in avoiding preventable vision loss for people living with diabetes is the early detection of changes in the eye. Advanced ophthalmic technology, such as OCT, is helping optometrists detect vision-limiting conditions like diabetic retinopathy earlier than ever before. Currently, there are more than 1.5 million Australians with diagnosed diabetes, and one in three of them will have some level of diabetic retinopathy.
This year’s National Diabetes Week theme emphasises the impact technological advancements have had on diabetes care. The non-invasive 3D eye scan completed by OCT provides optometrists with detailed insights into the eye health of diabetic patients, enabling earlier treatment and ongoing monitoring.
Dr Ashby says the use of OCT as part of every Specsavers eye test, at no extra cost to patients, is helping to drive better eye health outcomes for all Australians.
“OCT is an important tool in patient care as it means optometrists are picking up small changes in the eye much sooner than they would have with standard eye testing equipment. This is particularly important for people with diabetes as we can monitor changes and refer them to an ophthalmologist as needed,” he says.
Ms Taryn Black, Diabetes Australia chief strategy officer, says the optimised recall communication framework of KeepSight complements test room technology by sending reminders and prompts at the appropriate time and making the process of booking an appointment easy.
“Optometrists are at the forefront of our battle against diabetes-related vision loss. Their ability to detect and monitor diabetic retinopathy in its early stages is crucial in stopping people with diabetes from experiencing vision loss. KeepSight’s impact in increasing the number of people attending regular and ongoing eye checks demonstrates the importance of this collaborative effort,” she says.
“KeepSight’s success is a testament to the collective work of Diabetes Australia, Specsavers, the Australian Government and other program partners. Each reminder sent and appointment attended brings us closer to a future where diabetes-related vision loss is a rarity rather than a common occurrence.”
NOTE: To find out more about KeepSight, visit www.keepsight.org.au. References will appear in the online version of this article.
More reading
Specsavers reaches one million KeepSight appointment registrations
Undiagnosed and unmanaged diabetes focus of National Diabetes Week
KeepSight’s targeted approach increases uptake of diabetes eye checks
References
Specsavers Australia. National Patient Outcomes Database [Data file]. Specsavers, Melbourne, 2024. Cited 17/5/2024.
Specsavers Australia. National Patient Outcomes Database [Data file]. Specsavers, Melbourne, 2024. Cited 17/5/2024.
National Diabetes Services Scheme. Eye Health [Website: https://www.ndss.com.au/managing-diabetes/diabetes-related-complications/eyes/] cited 19/05/2024
Diabetes Australia. Out Impact [Website: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/] Cited 20/05/2024
Centre for Eye Research Australia. Diabetic eye disease. Website: www.cera.org.au/conditions/diabetic-eye-disease. Cited 18/05/2024
