Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is one of the major causes of preventable blindness in adults (1). The prevalence of DR in pregnancy remains higher than in the non-pregnant diabetic population (2), and DR changes can persist for up to 12 months’ post-partum (3, 4). There is good evidence that retinal screening and management of DR reduces preventable blindness and retinal screening is also cost effective (5).
This audit aims to highlight changes in the adherence at NWH and compares them with national (NZ) and international (UK) guidelines. This will identify areas for improvement, help shape local service delivery, and contribute to the growing evidence base for improving maternity care for women with pre-existing diabetes in New Zealand, particularly the Māori and Pacific populations.
A retrospective audit was conducted to review adherence to retinal screening for women with pre-existing diabetes who delivered at National Women’s Health, Auckland (NWH) over a 1-year period (1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024). Data from the local electronic health record was collected and compared with previous local audit, as well as, published national and international guidelines. There was significant improvement in first-trimester retinal screening since the 2022 audit (3.4% ->19.8%). Overall referral and screening compliance remains substantially below the 100% standard.