The Initial Fundus Examination and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy at a Primary Eye Clinic

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the time of initial fundus examination after the diagnosis of diabetes and the probability of diabetic retinopathy in the primary eye clinic. METHODS: 158 diabetes who visited on primary eye clinic between September 2003 and February 2004 were enrolled. We perfomed fundus examination with stereoscopic photograph. and made some questions about the delyed fundus examination. RESULTS: Among 158 patients (Mean age 59.56 +/- 9.66), diabetic retinopathy was demonstrated in 59 (37.3%). The average delayed time of initial fundus examination was 5.98 +/- 5.30years. The longer duration of the interval, the higer was the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and the more severe retinopathy was found. The common reason of delayed fundus examination after diagnosis of diabetes was `having no symptom' (50.0%) and `not knowing of diabetic ocular complication' (15.0%). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in primary eye clinic was not remarkable different in tertiary hospital. In order to prevent vision threatening diabetic retinopathy, We should perfom the fundus examination before becoming too advanced. In primary eye clinic as well as tertiary hopital, education of diabetic patients and thorough understanding of diabetic retinopathy must be needed.