Discrete event simulation to evaluate screening for diabetic eye disease

Discrete event simulation has been used to explore different models of screening for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes and can cause blindness. The risk of blindness can be significantly reduced by screening and timely laser treatment. The simulation has been written in Pascal, using an extended version of Pascal_SIM, to explore the costs and benefits. The simulation models patients' disease progression and their screening, followed by treatment. The results shown are for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes.