MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CLASSIFICATION.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients.
• The duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for DR development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in relation to the duration of diabetes mellitus (DM).
• To compare findings with existing literature and data from other clinics.

Main Methods:

• Inclusion of patients with type 1 (DMID) and type 2 (DMNID) diabetes mellitus.
• Examination methods included ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp bio-microscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FAG).
• Study period: September 2004-2014, including treated DR patients with DM duration from 5 to over 30 years.

Main Results:

• DR prevalence was 10% in patients with 5 years of DM.
• DR prevalence ranged from 82% to 97% in patients with over 30 years of DM.

Conclusions:

• Diabetic retinopathy prevalence escalates with diabetes duration.
• Management requires a multidisciplinary approach focusing on glycemic control (HbA1c ≤7.0%), blood pressure (<140 mmHg), and lipid levels (LDL <2.5 mmol/L, triglycerides <2.0 mmol/L).
• Regular visual acuity assessment during DR examinations is crucial.