Abstract
Background and aimsDiabetes mellitus is likely to have a major effect on vision, and adequate knowledge of its ocular manifestations is of substantial importance to diabetic patients. The study aimed to assess the ocular knowledge and practices among Type 2 diabetic patients of Bangladesh.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 122 diabetic patients from the outpatient department (OPD) of the apex diabetic healthcare hospital of the country under the sponsorship of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BIRDEM). A questionnaire was used for collecting data on knowledge on and practices relating to diabetes mellitus with particular emphasis on ocular issues. A predefined score was used for categorizing levels of knowledge and practices as poor, average, and good.ResultsOf the 122 respondents, 63%, 55%, 40%, 44%, and 30% reported, blindness, retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and double vision respectively, as complications of diabetes mellitus. About 50% were aware of the need for eye screening for people with the complications. Only 8% monitored their blood glucose levels daily, 15% monitored weekly, and 10% reported checking their blood pressure daily and 43% took their medications as prescribed. The level of diabetic knowledge was poor, moderate and good, respectively, among 24%, 56%, and 20% of the respondents, whereas the practice standards showed that 47%, 31%, and 22% had poor, average, and good levels respectively. The knowledge score was significantly associated with the practice score (r = 0.460, p = 0.001).ConclusionThe results indicate that the ocular knowledge and practices among diabetic patients attending a tertiary-care hospital in Bangladesh is average. Health and eye-care practitioners need to expand diabetic health education and promotion among diabetic patients.
Highlights
Background and aimsDiabetes mellitus is likely to have a major effect on vision, and adequate knowledge of its ocular manifestations is of substantial importance to diabetic patients
The majority (63%) of the respondents pointed out blindness as an eye complication due to diabetes, followed by diabetic retinopathy (55%) and other eye complications
This study has shown that 63%, 55%, and 40% of the patients had adequate knowledge, respectively, on the complications of blindness, retinopathy, and cataract associated with Diabetes mellitus (DM)
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is likely to have a major effect on vision, and adequate knowledge of its ocular manifestations is of substantial importance to diabetic patients. The study aimed to assess the ocular knowledge and practices among Type 2 diabetic patients of Bangladesh. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing global epidemic and leading cause of ocular complications, eye complications, and eye diseases, such as cataract, retinopathy, glaucoma, double vision, macular degeneration, and blindness [1]. Kknowledge on the prevention and risk factors of ocular complications is essential to prevent vision loss among DM patients. The majority of diabetes patients are aware that diabetes can cause eye diseases, their attitude and practice is not at the desired level, which need to be improved [6]. The need for greater awareness of prevention, diagnosis, control of risk
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