Raba Thapa|Govinda Paudyal|Nhukesh Maharjan|PS Bernstein
Demographics and awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients attending the vitreo-retinal service at a tertiary eye care center in Nepal
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|Eye Institute of Utah|University of Utah
introduction diabetic retinopathy dr one leading causes blindness nepal objective investigate demographic characteristics awareness diabetic retinopathy among new cases diabetes mellitus dm attending vitreoretinal service tertiary eye care centre nepal materials methods hospitalbased crosssectional study including consecutive new cases dm carried detailed demographics subjects awareness potential ocular problems diabetes mellitus noted results total 210 patients mean age 57 104 years included brahmins 348 newars 343 predominant ethnic groups housewives 386 office workers 186 major groups affected twofifths 37 cases unaware dr potential blindness awareness significantly higher among literate patients p 0006 fundus evaluation done first time 486 although almost fourfifths duration diabetes five years dr found 78 cases 167 already proliferative stage 40 exhibiting clinically significant diabetic macular edema conclusion lack awareness dr coupled high proportion cases already sightthreatening stage retinopathy first presentation reflects need improved awareness programs reduce burden blindness dr nepal doi httpdxdoiorg103126nepjophv4i15844 nepjoph 2012 41 1016