Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Western Indian Type 2 Diabetic Population: A Hospital - based Cross - Sectional Study.

Context: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) can be defined as a damage which is caused to microvasculature in the retina by prolonged hyperglycaemia. Various studies have been conducted in south India, to find out prevalence of DR. It remains a less explored domain among type 2 diabetic patients in western India.

Objectives: (1) To assess prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 DM in western Indian population. and (2) To find out effect of duration of diabetes on severity of DR in this population.

Study Design: A hospital - based, cross - sectional study.

Material And Methods: A total of 168 patients with type 2 DM underwent detailed opthalmoscopic examinations for DR. The ETDRS classification was followed to categorize retinopathy in different stages.

Results: We observed that overall, prevalence of DR in type 2 patients of western India was 33.9%. Prevalences of non-proliferative DR and proliferative DR were 25.5% and 8.33% respectively. Statistically significant differences (p value<0.05) were observed between prevalences of DR in each group of patients which was classified, and duration of diabetes. Prevalence of CSME (clinically significant macular oedema) was 6.5%. Associated hypertension showed a statistically significant (p value<0.05%), higher prevalence of DR.

Conclusion: This study concluded that prevalence of DR in type 2 DM patients of western India was 33.9% and that it increased with duration of diabetes. Associated hypertension is a risk factor for development of DR. It was further noted that proliferative DR was prevalent only after having diabetes for 11 years.