STUDY OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL FOR NON-OPHTHALMOLOGICAL REASONS

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the many ocular complications of diabetes mellitus and is the leading cause of blindness. We conducted this study to find out the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in patients admitted in tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. Material Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 1st March, 2012 to 30th October, 2012. A total of 462 individuals were included in the study. Using HbA1C levels, stratification of individuals in three groups was done. Group 1 included individuals with HBA1C levels 7%, Group 2 with levels between 7-10% and Group 3 individuals had levels 10%. Based on the slit lamp examination, individuals were further divided into four groups (No DR, Background DR, Preproliferative DR, and Proliferative DR). Results: The age range was 22-76 years with male to female ratio of 315 (68.18%) and 147(31.81%). In patients with DM duration less than 10 years, no case of Proliferative DR was found while in those with DM duration more than 30 years, the incidence rose to 27.45%. Preproliferative DR changes increased from 12.67% in 10 years to 34.94% in 11-30 years and 60.78% in individuals with 30 years duration. In individuals with HbA1C levels less than 7% over 5-10 years, 44.94% had no DR changes while 62.92% had Background DR, 3.3% had Preproliferative DR while none had Proliferative DR. Individuals with HbA1C levels between 7-10% had 33.33%, 50.40% and 12.19% while those with HBA1C 10% had an alarming prevalence of 39.37%, 35.43% and 25.19% in Background, Preproliferative and Proliferative DR categories respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy increases with poor control and increasing duration of disease