Prevalence and Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy in Diabetic Patients Visiting Tertiary Care Hospitals in Central India

Background Diabetes presents a significant and ever-growing burden worldwide, impacting populations across the globe. However, this burden is particularly pronounced in developing economies like India. The rise of diabetes in such regions can largely be attributed to two key factors: the increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles. Aim and objectives The study's objectives encompassed identifying patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus through the oral glucose tolerance test and the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among them, followed by classification based on the severity of the disease. Furthermore, the study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with DR among the patients, focusing on the duration of diabetes and age group, both of which were deemed highly significant. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted for two months in 2019 among 40 patients. The tests performed were an oral glucose tolerance test, ocular examination including slit lamp biomicroscopy, and fundus examination. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Student T-test. Results About 42.5% of the patients were positive for diabetic retinopathy, of which 29.41% had mild NPDR, 41.18% had moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 29.41% had diabetic maculopathy. No cases of severe NPDR and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were found. Conclusion Longer duration of diabetes corresponded to a higher prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. The frequency of diabetic retinopathy was higher in ages above 60 years. Diabetic retinopathy is a concern for patients with a long history of diabetes, high blood sugar levels, and unilateral or bilateral low vision. Thirty percent of the total were newly diagnosed diabetics. Timely screening of patients and intervention can go a long way in reducing morbidity or vision loss.