In the first year, out of 1,257 diabetic patients in the study, only 15% had a retinal examination. Two years after implementation of the telemedicine system, 71% of the 1,395 diabetic patients in the practice had a retinal examination. Significantly, of the observed increase, 66% was due to an eye examination by a local ophthalmologist and only 33% was due to remote evaluation.

— From a report out of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology concerning the benefits of a telemedicine system, “Studies: telemedicine significant for improved eye care for patients,” p. 3.