The All India Ophthalmological Society - Academic and Research Committee pan-India diabetic retinopathy project “Fixing the missing link”: Prevalence data from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its risk factors among diabetic patients in the states of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh (CG). METHODS: Diabetic patients were screened in the treating diabetologist/physician’s clinic by a team that included an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and a counselor. Demographic details, diabetic control, compliance to eye checkup, awareness regarding diabetic blindness, and visual acuity were recorded using a questionnaire. DR was graded both by indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus photo taken with a portable fundus camera. RESULTS: In total, 602 subjects were screened across five selected locations of MP and CG. The prevalence of DR was 13.62%. No significant difference with gender was seen. The presence and grade of DR were related to age, diabetic age, and diabetic control. CONCLUSION: This study provides the prevalence data for DR among diabetic patients from the states of MP and CG and highlights important barriers to DR screening in our country.