Prevalence of and factors associated with diabetic retinopathy among diabetics in Nepal: a hospital based study.

Diabetic retinopathy is the one of the leading caus e of visual impairment in world including Nepal. Th e objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of and fact ors associated with Diabetic Retinopathy among diabetics in a Tertiary Eye Care Centre, Nepal. A hospital-based, cross sectional study, was conducted at Tilganga Eye Centre, Nepal. 371 consecutive subjects were recruited duri ng a period of study. Ophthalmologist performed comprehensive eye examinations, which were reconfirmed by senior ophthalmologist. Diabetic Retinopath y was graded using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopat hy Study. Total 371 consecutive diabetics were examined, mean of 57.4 years (SD 12.0) having the sex ratio o f 0.72 male per female. The prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy was 44.7% (166) with non-proliferative Diabetic Ret inopathy presented 85.5% (142) and 14.5% (24) were proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. Clinically sign ificant macular edema was found in 19.2% (32). The age at onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with Diabetic Retinop athy (p= 0.05). The prevalen ce of Diabetic Retinopathy was within the range of previo us studies with a high rate of proliferative diabet ic retinopathy. Factors associated with diabetic retinopathy were s imilar to other developed countries. To prevent thi s condition of Diabetic Retinopathy, the coordination between phys ician and ophthalmologist needs to be strengthened.