Diabetic Patients' Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Parsa, Nepal: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Diabetes mellitus is a growing problem in Nepal, but the awareness of diabetic retinopathy is very poor. In addition to that, some patients didn?t visit the ophthalmologist for the routine eye examination. All of this indeed will increase the demand for better diabetes education to make DM patients more aware about their conditions and related complication. This study aims to assess the level of awareness for DR among diabetic patients in Parsa, Nepal. This cross-sectional community-based study was conducted on 280 diabetic patients in Parsa, Nepal. Data were collected through a formal interview method. This study used DR awareness questionnaire which was developed from previously published studies. From the results it was revealed that the awareness of DR among the diabetic patients was very poor. Around 60% of the diabetic patients believed that diabetes could not affect their eyes and blindness. The results of the present study was also revealed that large proportion of the diabetic patients was believed there was no need for the regular screen for DR if both eyes are good and. The present study was also reported that about 54% of the diabetic patients were check up their eyes only when vision was affected. Diabetes is a growing problem in Nepal, but awareness of DR is very poor. Our study found that the awareness of DR among the diabetic patients in Nepal was very poor. It was recommended that the Nepali population should be sensitised about diabetic eye diseases.