Evangelia Kotsiliti – Progress Report 1

The main goal of my project is to define alternative strategies that can prove to be more efficient and/or cost saving in the detection of diabetic retinopathy. The first step of this process was an extensive literature review in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the disease, the risk factors that affect its progression and the different frameworks applied for detection. My knowledge was further reinforced by undertaking the level 3 City and Guilds accreditation for screeners and graders and by participating in respective conferences and seminars. Currently, I am trying to define the underlying parameters of the National Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and estimate the relative costs especially in the case of inappropriate decisions. This is the starting point of my practical implementation and the accurate definition of the framework of this model is crucial in the further assessment of alternative approaches.