How High is the Non-Response Rate of Patients Referred for Eye Examination from Diabetic Screening Camps?

Abstract

Aim: To elucidate the rate of non-response among diabetics (recently diagnosed in rural diabetic screening camps) who were referred for eye examination to detect diabetic retinopathy. Methods: At diabetic retinopathy screening camps, all patients underwent dilated fundus examination using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results: Of the 4,111 known diabetics, only 2231(55%) patients attended the diabetic retinopathy screening camps. Likewise, of the 1076 newly detected diabetics, only 125 (11.6%) attended the diabetic retinopathy screening camps. Conclusions: Non-response of such a magnitude calls for creating greater awareness among masses on diabetes and its microvascular complications. Second, conducting simultaneous diabetes screening and diabetic retinopathy screening camps could minimize the dropout rate.

KEYWORDS:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• diabetic screening
• eye examination
• response rate
• developing countries
• India