The telemedicine group was more likely to receive a diabetic retinopathy screening examination when compared with the traditional surveillance group during the 6-month or less ( 94.6 % [ 280/296 ] vs 43.9 % [ 119/271 ] ; 95 % CI , 46.6 % -54.8 % ; P < .001 ) and greater than 6-month through 18-month ( 53.0 % [ 157/296 ] vs 33.2 % [ 90/271 ] ; 95 % CI , 16.5 % -23.1 % ; P < .001 ) time bins .