The Relation between awareness of diabetic retinopathy and its grade in Libyan diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent vision-threatening complication, necessitates effective screening and management. This study aimed to assess DR awareness and attitudes among Libyan diabetic patients (type 2) and determine their association with the DR stage.

Aim: to determine the link between the diabetic retinopathy stage and the awareness and attitude of Libyan diabetic patients regarding diabetic retinopathy.

Methodology: a conventional descriptive cross-sectional study involved Libyan diabetic patients (type 2) aged 40-90 from “Benghazi Center for Diagnosis and Treatment Diabetes Mellitus”. A validated questionnaire assessed DR awareness and attitude, while slit-lamp and ETDRS grading determined the DR stage.

The result: most of the patients (80%) had a regular follow-up in a diabetic clinic, while only 19% had regular follow-ups in an eye clinic, and 55% of them had no previous eye examination. Lack of knowledge about diabetic retinopathy accounted for 37% of patients. The absence of eye signs and symptoms was cited by 19% as a cause of irregular eye clinic follow-up. Furthermore, only 44% of patients (versus 56%) had a referral from their doctor, suggesting an inadequate degree of physician involvement in retinopathy screening.

Conclusions: Despite DR's known visual impairment risk, Libyan diabetic patients exhibited significant gaps in awareness and regular eye clinic follow-up, even if asymptomatic. Physician involvement in retinopathy screening was also inadequate. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions for patients and physicians to address knowledge gaps and promote regular eye examinations for early DR detection and improved visual outcomes.