Distribution of Diabetic Retinopathy among Diabetics in Southern Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) refers to a group of pathologies found in the retina ofdiabetics that can lead to visual complications. Screening for DR is immensely useful in preventing blindness.Diabetic patients who were registered in the diabetic clinic of a leading hospital in the private sector over a period of one year were selected for this study. Total of 2603 diabetics were examined majority (97.0%) were Sinhala. They represented three districts of Southern province. Males were 64.3%. Majority belonged to the diabetic duration of 5 – 15 years. (72.9%). Total prevalence of DR was 7.53%. (Bilateral 5.5% and Unilateral 2.0%). Lowest prevalence value was shown in the age category of below 30yrs and the highest value of 10.9% in 51 – 60yrs group. The total prevalence of maculopathy was 0.6% with a higher age specific value in 51 – 60 group. Prevalence of pre proliferative and proliferative DR was only 0.12%. A steady increase was shown in the appearance of DR with the duration of diabetes. An obvious association with the occurrence of retinopathy and hypertension was shown than non hypertension patients.