Referral patterns and screening outcomes for diabetic retinopathy in a secondary care center in Oman

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss globally, and its burden is increasing, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of diabetes like Oman. Early detection and timely intervention are crucial for preventing vision loss and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate referral patterns and screening outcomes for DR at Bowsher Specialized Polyclinics (BSP) in Muscat, Oman.

In this cross-sectional study conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2023, data were retrospectively collected from the electronic health records of 6677 patients referred to BSP. The assessment included referral sources, reasons for referral, patient demographics, waiting times, screening results, and follow-up plans.

A high proportion of external referrals (79%), with 90.6% being routine. Nearly half of the referrals were for DR screening, and among those screened, 16.9% had abnormal findings, with mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR) being the most prevalent. Males showed a significantly higher proportion of abnormal screening outcomes. In addition, mean waiting times were long (145.8 days), and 39.5% of patients were defaulters.

These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to optimize referral pathways, expand screening capacity, and enhance patient engagement to improve DR management.