Background: Diabetes mellitus is the most common noncommunicable disease worldwide with multiorgan involvement. The international diabetes federation diabetes atlas reports that 10.5% of the adult population (20-79 yrs) has diabetes with almost half unaware that they are living with the condition. By 2045,1in 8 adults, approximately 783 million will be living with diabetes, an increase of 46%. Qatar faces a significant burden with a projected increase in prevalence from 17.8% in 2023, 29.5% by 2050, age group 20-79 years. Diabetic retinopathy is a micro-angiopathy resulting from the chronic effects of diabetes. It affects 3 out of 4 people living with diabetes after 15 years of disease duration. This is a literature review about the status of diabetic retinopathy in the state of Qatar. Methods: An extensive review of studies published about the status of diabetic retinopathy was contacted with the use of PubMed and Google Scholar using the Key words diabetic retinopathy, Qatar. Results: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Qatar was 23.5% (95% CI) as per study by Elshafei et al., in 2011. The longer duration of diabetes and poor glycemic control was significant risk factors in the development of diabetic retinopathy. A review by Amin SR et al., in 2023 pointed out the importance of standard methods like digital photography in screening most diabetic patients in Qatar. Conclusion: As the burden of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy are on the rise in Qatar, extensive and elaborate research studies are required, and the policy makers and stake holders should address this issue as an important public health concern.
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