Frequency of Diabetic Retinopathy among known Diabetics at District Level Teaching Hospital

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v38i3.1361

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the frequency of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujrat.

Study Design: Descriptive observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Aziz BhattiShaheed Teaching Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021

Methods: All patients who presented in out-patient department of medicine and ophthalmology with type 2 diabetes mellitus for more than 3 years were included. Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed and Diabetic retinopathy was classified. Other complications of diabetes were also noted. SPSS version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c and random blood glucose levels were expressed as mean + SD and gender, type of retinopathy and nerve abnormalities were expressed as percentage.

Results: Out of 765 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 397 (51.9%) were males and 368 (48.1%) were females and 428 (55.95%) patients had diabetic retinopathy. Mean age was 42.18+12.37 years, mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 5.87+3.42 years and mean random blood glucose was 261+65 mg/dl. Mean HbA1C was 9.2+2.5%. Patients with normal retina were advised yearly follow up. Patients with diabetic retinopathy were managed with Argon Grid Laser, intra-vitreal anti-VEGF or referred for surgery depending upon the stage of the disease. Oculomotor palsy was seen in 7 patients and facial nerve palsy in 5 patients.

Conclusion: Frequency of diabetic retinopathy is considerably high 55.96% in this particular study at Gujrat. Lack of ophthalmic evaluation and awareness among patients leads to considerably high rates of diabetic retinopathy.