Knowledge of ocular complications of diabetes in community-based people with type 2 diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study II.

Aims: To assess knowledge of diabetes-related eye disease in Australians with type 2 diabetes and its associations with diabetic retinopathy (DR), other ocular complications and vision-related quality of life.

Methods: A random sample from the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II cohort (n = 360) was invited to participate. Knowledge was assessed using 10 multiple-choice questions covering how diabetes affects the eyes, frequency of ophthalmic screening, risk factors, prevention, available treatments, and prognosis. DR was assessed from fundus photographs. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent associates of the knowledge score (KS).

Results: We included 264 participants (mean ± SD age 72.1 ± 9.2 years, 56.8% male, median [IQR] diabetes duration 15.4 [11.1-22.3] years). The mean ± SD KS out of 10 was 5.3 ± 1.8. Most (67%) participants knew diabetes can affect the eye and lead to blindness. Only 13.6% knew that DR screening intervals depend on risk factors. Those with moderate non-proliferative DR (NPDR) or worse had a better knowledge score (B = 1.37,P = 0.008) after adjusting for age (B = -0.03, P = 0.004) and education beyond primary school (B = 1.75, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Overall knowledge of diabetes-related ocular complications was suboptimal. Education targeting eye disease may benefit people with type 2 diabetes who are older, less well educated and/or who have no DR/mild NPDR.