Medical Follow-ups of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy in Centers of Ophthalmology of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in 25-65 years old age population. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can delay diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this study is to evaluate medical follow up of patients with diabetic retinopathy. In a descriptive cross-sectional design, patients with diabetic retinopathy, who had been referred for operation or laser therapy, were interviewed by an ophthalmologist and questionnaires were completed. Results Of 100 patients with mean age of 53 years, 65% were female and 35% were male. 50% of patients were illiterate. 24% of patients had regular ophthalmologist follow up and 75% of patients had no regular follow up. Causes of poor follow up were low awareness (42%), economical factors (12%), lack of family support (8%) and ophthalmologist unavailability (6%). Augmenting our information about the follow up of diabetic patients and probable problems in this trend can help the health organizations in order to design more effective control programs for them. It seems that a regional follow up protocol for diabetes is needed to check the trend of quality of care of diabetes in Iran.