Preferred practice pattern of physicians regarding diabetic retinopathy in diabetes mellitus patients

PURPOSE: To assess the perceptions of physicians about diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening, barriers to DR screening, and change in management protocol of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients with DR. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a standard predesigned and pretested structured questionnaire through online mode in the month of April 2021 to assess the criteria used for referral of diabetic patients for DR screening, barriers to DR screening, and the management plan among physicians after the patient has been diagnosed with DR. RESULTS: In total, 100 physicians participated in the study. Physicians responded that criteria used for referral for DR screening according to duration was <5 years (n = 0), 5–10 years (n = 60), >10 years (n = 10), and irrespective of the duration (n = 30). According to severity, well-controlled DM without (n = 30) and with other system involvement (n = 50) and uncontrolled DM without (20) and with other system involvement (n = 50) and irrespective of the severity of disease (n = 30) was reported. Physicians (n = 40) responded that patients who were diagnosed with DR belonged to the Type 1 DM category rather than Type 2 DM (P < 0.05). With regard to the barriers and challenges faced in ensuring DR screening, the following themes emerged: no ocular symptoms, lack of compliance, time constraint for the patient, and lack of motivation. CONCLUSION: We found that the preferred practice pattern of physicians regarding referral for DR screening was dependent on the duration of the disease (mostly 5–10 years of the disease) and severity (when other systems were involved). Noncompliance with advice was the major barrier to DR screening.