First Presentation of Diabetic Patients to Ophthalmology Clinic : A Survey in Two Peripheral Hospitals in Jordan

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the presentation of patients diagnosed already to have Diabetes Mellitus (DM), in terms of source of referral, eye condition on first visit, and minimal awareness of diabetic eye complications and treatment. Methods: Ninety-five patients (all patients visiting the clinic for the first time and found to be diabetics) attending the ophthalmology clinic and diagnosed to be diabetics during a period of 3 months (April-June 2009) were included in the study. A questionnaire was filled by patients. Items asked about the duration since the patients were diagnosed to have Diabetes Mellitus, cause of presentation to ophthalmology clinic (including referral from other clinics), knowledge about blood sugar and blood pressure control effect on retinal complications of Diabetes Mellitus as well as Laser effect on the eye. Results: More than a third (35%) of the patients visited the eye clinic after more than 11 years of DM. Quarter (25%) of them presented in the latest stage of diabetic retinopathy (proliferative diabetic retinopathy PDR). Despite that a high percentage (67%) was followed up by internists, their eye complaint was the major cause for them to come to clinic rather than referral from the DM treating doctor for regular check up. The majority know the effect of blood sugar level but not hypertension on the diabetic retinopathy. Most of them lack adequate knowledge about Laser. Conclusion: All doctors dealing with diabetic patients especially those practicing in peripheral hospitals should establish a fixed protocol of sending the diabetic patients for eye check up routinely at the time of diagnosis of DM. Dietician and educators are mandatory compliment to diabetes clinics. Media and local institutes should be involved more actively in spreading education and advice for the continuously increasing number of diabetic patients.