Diabetes and blindness in people with diabetes in Hungary

The purpose of the study was to estimate the number of people with diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the prevalence of blindness and severe visual impairment among people with diabetes mellitus in Hungary based on our recent national representative survey.

Altogether 105 clusters of 35 people aged 50 years or older were randomly selected. Standardized rapid assessment of avoidable blindness with the diabetic retinopathy module was used. Each individual received a visual acuity assessment, and every person with diabetes mellitus underwent dilated fundus examination.

The estimated number of people with diabetes mellitus was 807,885 in the adult (⩾18 years) population in Hungary with 9.9% prevalence. Diabetic retinopathy exhibited an increasing tendency with age. The prevalence rates of blindness and severe visual impairment in people with diabetes mellitus aged ⩾50 years were 1.0% and 0.9%, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy was responsible for 28% of blindness and 50% of severe visual impairment among participants aged ⩾50 years with diabetes mellitus.

The estimated number of people with diabetes mellitus and prevalence of diabetes mellitus were lower than those recently reported. However, if we extend our estimation, prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus may be higher and thus prevalence of diabetes mellitus may reach a higher value (between 9.9% and 13.4%). Because of the high number of ophthalmologically uncontrolled diabetic eyes and high rate of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, primary eye care should be improved, and a nationwide telemedical eye-screening programme should be undertaken.