Weeneebayko General Hospital Telehealth Teleophthalmology program has been evolving since 2005.

We have been serving 5 remote First Nations communities for 2 years, providing a detailed eye exam and diabetes chart review as well as individual diabetes complication prevention education that are culturally appropriate. The process we have developed for this service is based on the University of Alberta's Teleophthalmology practices and we have access to their secure website and retinal specialist services.

Teleophthalmology has been well proven as a feasible solution for persons with diabetes who live in remote areas in preventing vision loss related to retinopathy. We have also found the project to benefit clients with undiagnosed cataracts and glaucoma. Reading and reporting services by an Ophthalmologist takes a fraction of the time of an office visit.

During the teleophthalmology visit the client is able to actually their blood vessels making it an excellent teaching moment for diabetes control. The report is easily accessible to the entire health team. When necessary, referrals are made to the Ophthalmologist, visiting Optometrist, as well as other health care services. In each community we have visited we have found clients with previously undiagnosed eye disease. Those with early eye disease now have the benefit of regular surveillance and timely treatment. This will prevent the vision loss we have also encountered in those clients who did not access eye care before our program was initiated.