Diabetic retinopathy and visual loss in a jamaican population

Ophthalmic assessment was performed on a random sample of 178 black Jamican diabetics. Retinopathy was present in 69%. Severe visual loss (V.A. < ou =**5/200 or < ou = **2/60) had occurred in 11% of eyes, and maculopathy was the commonest cause. Another 9% of eyes were at "high risk" of severe visual loss 2 years from proliferative disease. Diabetes mellitus of greater than 10 years duration was a strong risk factor for retinioathy, maculopathy, severe visual loss and "high risk" of severe visual loss