IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 18, Issue 4 Ser. 7 (April. 2019), PP 32-41 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1804073241 www.iosrjournals.org 32 | Page Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients Attending Eye Opd at Tertiary Eye Care Centre in Central Rajasthan, India Dr. Manoj Kumar Gupta, Dr. RakeshPorwal, Dr. Sanjeev K Nainiwal, Resident Doctor Senior Professor Professor & Head Department of Ophthalmology, JLN Medical College and Hospital, Ajmer (Rajasthan), India Corresponding Author: Dr. Manoj Kumar Gupta Abstract Purpose: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice about DM and Diabetic Retinopathy & to find out the correlation of socio-demographic and underlying risk factor of DM & DR Method: Prospective observational study by fix formed questionnaire regarding knowledge attitude and practice about DM & DR. Results: Most of the study subjects were between the age group of 56-65 years (35.4%) followed by 46-55 years (29.1%). Of the 1414 patients, 1179 (83.3%) had good knowledge of diabetes, 925 (65.4%) had positive attitude towards diabetes, while only 334 patients (23.6%) were found to have good practice patterns. In more than one- fifth (21.8%) of study subjects diabetes retinopathy was present, out of these 16.6% have mild-moderate NPDR and 5.2% have severe NPDR-PDR. Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude and practice have a lot of impact in the disease like diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy since we know that diabetic retinopathy is one of most leading cause of legal blinders worldwide between 20-70yrs of age so to decrease blinders due to this disease there is a strong need of awareness programme, & screening programme for diabetic retinopathy, so that we can start appropriate treatment timely. Key Words: DM, Diabetic Retinopathy, KAP --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 25-03-2019 Date of acceptance: 09-04-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Diabetes mellitus, particularly type II, is a major public health concern worldwide. According to WHO, there will be an alarming increase in the population with type II diabetes mellitus, both in the developed and developing countries over the next two decades. In the developed world, the estimated increase is approximately 46%, from 55 million in 2000 to 83 million in 2030; whereas, among developing nations, the estimated increase is approximately 150%, from 30 million in 2000, to 80 million in 2030 1 . India is already home to 9-12 million blind people in the world which amounts to ¼ of the world‟s blind population. In India, DR is becoming an important cause of visual impairment. It is estimated that in India there will be 195% increase in persons with diabetes by 2025, from 19 million in 1995 to 57 million in 2025 2 Diabetic retinopathy usually occurs following a long standing and/or poorly controlled disease with hypertension and lipid disorders as co-morbidities 3 . Individuals with diabetes have a high potential for visual loss, especially those with more than 35 years of diabetes. With the present modalities of treatment available, more than 98% of visual loss and blindness due to severe DR can be prevented if intervened at the right time. 4 However lack of awareness regarding available treatment options, poor referral from physicians and a laid back attitude in individuals has led to poor utilization of these facilities. The well-known complications of diabetes include cataract which is 2 - 5 times more likely to occur in diabetics and also more likely occur earlier. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of visual loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness among working-age adults. It may be complicated by diabetic maculopathy. DR usually occurs in longstanding diabetes or poorly controlled diabetes due to vascular changes as a result of chronic high blood sugar. 5 In spite of the availability of technology which aids in early detection of DR in the developed countries, prevention and management are still emphasized.