The Initial Fundus Examination and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Diabetic Patients Diagnosed Over 30 Years of Age

Shim, Sam Do; Kim, Si Yeol

Abstract

The diagnosis of diabetics itself was frequently delayed in diabetic patients diagnosed over 30 years old. Therefore, fundus examination should be carried out at the time of diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the delayed time of the initial fundus examination by ophthalmologists after diagnosis of diabetes and the reason for not having fundus examination in diabetic patients diagnosed when they were over 30 years of age. From January, 1998 to July, 1998, two hundred fifty-seven such diabetic patients were examined fundus for the first time in Department of Ophthalmology of the Kyungpook National University Hospital. Among these patients,the average delayed time of the initial fundus examination by ophthalmologists after the diagnosis of diabetes was 6.2 years and the morbidity rate was 39.7% (102 patients). At these patients,mild,moderate and severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were 22.6% (58 patients), 10.1% (26 patients),2.7% (7 patients)respectively and proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 4.3% (11 patients). In conclustion, the delayed fundus examination was due to not knowing about timely necessity of the fundus examination. Diabetic patients as well as doctors who treat them should beeducated for the fundus examination at the time of diagnosis.