RESUMO
To evaluate the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy and the value of retinopathy screening in people after 70 years. In a hospital based study on 400 patients after the age of 70 years, signs of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated through dilated pupils using photographic and / or ophthalmoscopic methods. Medical examination and records were used to determine the duration of diabetes mellitus, mode of treatment and the presence of'hypertention 22.8% of the studied population [91/400] had diabetes mellitus [DM] signs of diabetic retinopathy [DR] were found in 19 patients [20.9% of the diabetic population and 4.8% of the all population studied]. Retinopathy changes were graded as early non-proliferative retinopathy [NPDR] in 31 eyes [14 patients], advanced non-proliferative retinopathy in four eyes [three patients] and proliferative retinopathy [PDR] in three eyes [two patients]. Advanced NPDR or PDR changes were present in four patients [4.3% of the diabetic population] and diabetic maculopathy was diagnosed in seven patients [7.7% of the diabetic population]. -Inspite of the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in elderly population, the prevalence of vision threatening diabetic retinopathy particulary proliferative retinopathy is low. There was a significant association between duration of diabetes, use of insulin for treatment and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. All elderly diabetic patients particularly those with long history or who need insulin for treatment require thorough ophthalmic examination which seem to be referable to photography near to the time of first presentation and there after at regular intervals