Assessment of awareness of diabetic retinopathy among the diabetics attending the peripheral diabetic clinics in melaka, malaysia.

In view of the alarming increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Malaysia, we conducted a study to assess the awareness of complications of diabetes among the diabetics attending the peripheral clinics in Melaka. The study period was from January 2007 to December 2007. 351 patients were included in the study. 79.8% were aware of the complications of diabetes mellitus and 87.2% were aware that diabetes can affect the eyes. However, only 50% of the patients underwent an ophthalmological evaluation. Although awareness was good, the motivation to undergo the assessment was poor.

[1]  T. Wong,et al.  Lack of awareness amongst community patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy: the Singapore Malay eye study. , 2009, Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.

[2]  P. Ryan,et al.  Awareness of diabetic eye disease among general practitioners and diabetic patients in Yangon, Myanmar , 2008, Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

[3]  E. Soto-Pedre,et al.  Duration of Diabetes and Screening Coverage for Retinopathy Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes , 2007, Ophthalmic epidemiology.

[4]  D. Weinberger,et al.  The relationship between diabetic retinopathy, glycemic control, risk factor indicators and patient education. , 2006, The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ.

[5]  Kuang Hui Lim.  Vision 2020 and prevention of blindness: is it relevant or achievable in the modern era? , 2006, Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.

[6]  S. C. Reddy,et al.  Awareness and knowledge of common eye diseases among the academic staff (non-medical faculties) of University of Malaya. , 2004, The Medical journal of Malaysia.

[7]  S. Wild,et al.  Global prevalence of diabetes: estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. , 2004, Diabetes care.

[8]  J. Shaw,et al.  Diabetes care in an Australian population: frequency of screening examinations for eye and foot complications of diabetes. , 2004, Diabetes care.

[9]  P. Roy.  Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetics. , 2003, Indian journal of ophthalmology.

[10]  L. Howie,et al.  Ophthalmic examination among adults with diagnosed diabetes mellitus. , 1993, JAMA.