Diabetic retinopathy awareness among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus – A study from South India

Context: Awareness of diabetic retinopathy (DR), is necessary to prevent visual disability. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the level of awareness of DR among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, presenting to a tertiary care center in South India. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the endocrinology outpatient department of a teaching institute in Kerala, India. Methods: Adult nonpregnant patients with type 2 diabetes who were given health education regarding diabetes and its complications were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect information. Statistical Analysis Used: Microsoft Excel 2007 was used to analyze the data and results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and percentages. Results: Among 120 diabetic patients interviewed, 46 (38%) were aware that diabetes can affect eyes. Forty-two (35%) patients were well aware about DR. Thirty-eight (31.6%) patients reported that they did not consider an eye check-up necessary if they had no symptoms. Only 5% knew about dilated retinal examination. Among patients who were aware of retinopathy only 12 (28.5%) received the information from health-care providers. Only 47 (39%) participants had an eye examination in the previous year. Conclusions: Despite receiving appropriate diabetes education, patients' level of awareness and compliance to routine eye evaluation was suboptimal.