Screening a diabetic patient for retinopathy is which level?

• A. Primary
• B. Tertiary
• C. Quaternary
• D. Secondary

Answer: (D)

Screening for retinopathy in a person with diabetes is secondary prevention. The goal here is to detect the eye changes early, before symptoms appear, so that timely treatment can prevent progression and potential vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy can develop without noticeable signs at first, so routine retinal screening catches these changes in a presymptomatic stage, allowing interventions that protect vision.

This differs from primary prevention, which aims to stop the disease from occurring in the first place (for example, preventing diabetes or preventing its complications from developing). It also differs from tertiary prevention, which focuses on reducing damage or disability once disease is established and symptomatic. Screening itself is about early detection rather than treatment, which is why it aligns with secondary prevention.