RESUMO
To estimate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in a population attending a diabetic clinic in Kuwait and to evaluate the medical risk factors associated with its development and progression. Fundi of 451 type 2 diabetic patients were examined by fundus photography. Retinopathy was graded according to EURODIAB IDDM complication study. Files were reviewed for clinical and social information about the patients. SPSS version 9 was used for analysis of the findings. The overall prevalence of retinopathy was 23.5%, mild retinopathy constituting 11.3%, moderatesevere retinopathy 11.08% and proliferative retinopathy 1.12%. Insulin treatment, duration of diabetes, age at examination, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride and microalbumin were found to be significantly related to the development and the progression of retinopathy. Caring for diabetic patients should include screening for risk factors associated with retinopathy and controlling them to delay or prevent the development and/or progression of diabetic retinopathy