Objective: To determine whether access to color fundus photographs from a patient's previous visit would alter the recommendations rendered to a cohort with diabetic retinopathy. Patients and Methods: One hundred sixty patients with diabetic retinopathy returning for a follow-up visit and who had color fundus photographs obtained at a previous visit were evaluated by trained retina specialists. Their clinical impression and recommendations regarding management of diabetic retinopathy were

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... ed without reference to previous photographs. Color fundus photographs from the patient's most recent visit were then reviewed and new recommendations with regard to appropriate treatment and follow-up were recorded. Results: In 21% of cases, after reviewing the patient's most recent color fundus photographs, the clinical recommen-ARCH OPHTHALMOL / VOL 116, DEC 1998