Estimation the Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among the Diabetic Patients Attending the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Tobruk City

Abstract

The present study is to assess the diabetic retinopathy (DR) knowledge among diabetic patients and the need to do a routine screening and checkup  at the diabetes and endocrinology center at Tobruk city. This is a cross-sectional study of diabetic patients who had a routine visit to the diabetes and endocrinology center at Tobruk city were administered a questionnaire that was used in previously published studies to assess the DR knowledge. The results: A100 patients enrolled; were males 38 and 62 were females. The patients in the study were convinced that diabetes could have an impact on their eyes (N=100, 100.0%), maintaining proper blood sugar levels can contribute to preserving their eyesight (N=100, 100.0%), and that diabetes has the potential to cause blindness (N=98, 98.0%). Although regarding to the questions assessing patient’s awareness of DR and annual eye examinations the majority of subjects (N=97, 97.0 %) answered yes. The minority of the patients get their eyes a routine screening and checkup (N=23, 23.0%). When questioned about the obstacles that hinder them from undergoing eye screening, the findings revealed; lack of knowledge about diabetic retinopathy (N=22, 22.0%), cost/ insurance (N=2, 2.0%), fear of discovery (N=2, 2.0%), two or more of the factors mentioned above (N=43,43.0%), other (N=8, 8.0%).  This study revealed a concerning discrepancy: while most understood diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its risks, a striking minority underwent annual eye exams. This highlights the urgent need to translate DR awareness into preventative action through patient education, and integrating eye exams into routine diabetes management.