RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision Care is currently participating in an integrated healthcare pilot program designed to bring medical professionals together to promote early diagnosis and prevention of diabetes, and improve treatment for those with diabetes.

Eyecare practitioners affiliated with VSP in Columbus, Ga., will take part in the study by conducting eye exams and health screenings for approximately 2,000 residents.

Depending on the exam outcome, patients may be referred to either a primary care physician or endocrinologist; the Columbus Research Foundation will track the patients for three years.

Columbus was selected for the project because of the high prevalence of diabetes in the region: the national average is nearly 7 percent, but in Columbus the prevalence is between 10 percent and 12 percent.

“We feel private practice eyecare is a first line of defense in detecting signs of diabetes, because diabetic retinopathy can occur up to seven years before diagnosis of type 2 diabetes,” said Susan Egbert, VSP’s director of quality management. “The Georgia Project brings optometry further into the healthcare continuum and allows eyecare professionals to play an important role in diabetes prevention.”

The Georgia Project is sponsored by the Center for Health Transformation, founded by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 2003 as a collaboration of private and public sector leaders committed to creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System.