Preoperative fundus examination in patients with diabetes scheduled for surgery

This study aimed to show the proportion of fundus examinations in patients with diabetes who were scheduled for surgery. We retrospectively analyzed 455 consecutive patients with diabetes admitted for surgery. Just 49% had fundus examinations before hospitalization. The decision tree analysis showed that the type of family doctor was the first split associated with fundus examination; patients treated by a diabetes specialist were more likely to receive the examination. In this subgroup, glycated hemoglobin levels ≥8.0% and age ≥71 years were associated with a lower proportion of receiving the examination. In patients whose family doctor was not a diabetes specialist, glycated hemoglobin levels <7.2% and body mass index <27.4 kg/m² without severe comorbidities were associated with a higher proportion of receiving the examination. In conclusion, half of patients scheduled for surgery did not receive fundus examinations. A high-risk population for not receiving the examination varied with the consultation setting.