Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in a Rural High-Latitude Community in Northern Norway

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Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness and has a global prevalence of 22.27% according to a systematic review.
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In 2018, Norway introduced a two-step screening model for DR, shifting initial grading to certified nurses or optometrists.
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The study aimed to assess the prevalence of DR in Finnmark, Norway, where diabetes rates are higher than the national average.
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Data were collected from 300 participants aged 18 and older attending routine diabetic retinal screening between 2021 and 2022.
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All retinal images were graded independently by both a certified nurse/optometrist and an ophthalmologist to ensure accuracy.

Bmc Ophthalmology

by Karin Krogh, Kari Milch Agledahl, Trine S. Bergmo, Maja Gran Erke, Therese von Hanno, Geir Bertelsen
April 1, 2026

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