RCT to Assess Uptake of Medical Eye Exams Among Individuals with Diabetes Published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology (April 2020)
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In the United States, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is 26% – 33%. Providing preventive care to individuals with diabetes is important to prevent microvascular complications in the eye.
Dr. John Litaker is the lead author of a randomized controlled trial to determine how using specific cues to action combined with the provision of a free eye exam might positively influence the rate of diabetic retinopathy screening among individuals with diabetes.
Published in the the journal Ophthalmic Epidemiology this study is the first of its kind by a community-plan to identify methods to improve uptake of a medical eye exam among its diabetic members. Findings yielded statistically significant results for uptake of an eye exam among individuals in the US$25 incentive group as compared to the referent group (RR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.36–3.19; P =.0006) and in the education group as compared to the referent group (RR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.47–3.39; P =.0001).