ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted to assess the efficacy of ophthalmic examinations by house officers as part of the routine examinations of diabetic patients on a surgical ward. After obtaining a brief history of the illness, a questionnaire was completed, following which fundal examination of dilated pupils of each patient was made by the house officer. The patient was subsequently referred to the consultant ophthalmologist who also examined the patient in order to confirm or negate the house officer's findings. Of the 88 eyes examined by the house officer 50% were found to have an abnormality, of which 86% were successfully picked up by the house officer. The results of our study show that the sensitivity is high for the common presentations of diabetic retinopathy, such as background changes [right eye 88.8% and left eye 88.2%], and associated changes such as cataracts [right eye 86.6% and left eye 92.3%]. Sensitivity for the diagnosis of the normal fundus [right eye 85.7% and left eye 73.9%] was also high. The readings were not significant for the more difficult-to-detect changes, such as maculopathy, proliferarive retinopathy and previous laser therapy. Twenty one [47.7%] of the patients were aware of the effects of diabetes on the eye, while fifteen [34%] denied that diabetes had any effect and the rest were uncertain. Ophthalmic examination of the dilated eye should form part of the routine examination of diabetic patients. Every effort should be taken to screen and educate patients with diabetes