DR. TANIA PARMAR

BARINDER KAUR BAINS

Abstract

Purpose:

To assess the perceptions of physicians about diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening and barriers and change in management protocol of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients with DR.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a standard predesigned and pretested structured questionnaire through online mode to assess the perceptions of the physicians

Results:

Total of 100 physicians participated and reported. Criteria used for referral for DR screening were :according to duration was 5–10 years (n = 60), according to severity uncontrolled DM with other system involvement (n = 50) Barriers: (themes emerged): no ocular symptoms, lack of compliance, time constraint for the patient, and lack of motivation.

Conclusion:

Duration of the disease (mostly 5–10 years of the disease) and severity (when other systems were involved) were criteria for referral for screening for DR. Noncompliance was the major barrier to DR screening.