Abstract:
Abstract: Background and objectives: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the
primary retinal vascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is a leading
cause of visual impairments and blindness. The risk factors for DR
include poor glycaemic control, longer duration of illness and comorbid
hypertension, These factors are common in our diabetic populations but
the burden of DR is largely unknown. This study, therefore, set out to
bridge this gap in knowledge.
Subjects and Methods: This was a cross- sectional study in which persons
living with diabetes mellitus (PLWD) presenting with eye complaints to
the Ophthalmology Clinic of Abia State University Teaching Hospital
(ABSUTH), Aba for evaluation and treatment were consecutively
recruited into the study. This study lasted from June 1, 2021 to December
31, 2022. Relevant data obtained were analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 software.
Results: A total of 134 diabetic patients; 65 (48.5%) males and 69 (51.5%)
females, were screened for DR among which 10.4% were found to have
varying degrees of DR including diabetic macular oedema which was
quite common. The mean random blood glucose of the study population
was 213.31 SD 81.8mg/dl. Systemic hypertension was the commonest co morbid condition seen in 65.7% of the participants.
Conclusion: DR is common among PLWD in the city of Aba. It is
recommended that PLWD should have their blood glucose levels and the
other co-morbidities such as systemic hypertension and lipid
abnormalities under control to slow down the progression of DR.
