Do medical practitioners perform eye examination as a component of managing diabetic patients?

• Published in: Saudi Journal for Health Sciences 2014-01, Vol.3 (1), p.32-36
• Main Authors: Ayanniyi, Abdulkabir, Monsudi, Kehinde, Balarabe, Aliyu, Isa, Abdul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2278-0521; 2278-0521
• DOI: 10.4103/2278-0521.130203

Context: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious eye complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of blindness among the working population. The ophthalmoscopy can screen, detect, and follow-up DR. However; it appears medical practitioners (MPs) rarely do ophthalmoscopy on diabetic eyes. Aims: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ophthalmoscopy in diabetics among MPs in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Settings and Design: KAP survey using participants′ self-administered questionnaire. Subjects and Methods: A survey of 70 consenting MPs attending Continuing Medical Education (CME) in 2012 using self-administered structured questionnaire on ophthalmoscopy and eyes in diabetic patients. Statistical Analysis Used: The analysis was done using simple frequency proportions/cross tabulations and Fisher′s exact test for significance. The P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Most MPs were affirmative on their knowledge (67, 95.7%; P = 0.055) and use (52, 74.3%; P = 0.028) of ophthalmoscope, and interest in being trained on how to use it (41, 58.6%; P = 0.201). However, two (2.9%) wrongly thought ophthalmoscope was used to measure intraocular pressure, one (1.4%) was oblivious of ophthalmoscope, 18 (25.7%) did not know how to use it, and 27 (38.6%) were uncommitted whether they wanted to be trained on how to use it. Most MPs (54, 77.1%) understood diabetic retinopathy (DR); however, 15 (21.4%) wrongly equated DR to all eye changes in diabetics and one (1.4%) admitted not knowing it (P = 0.649). Most (58, 82.9%) knew that diabetes mellitus affects the eye, 10 (14.3%) did not and two (2.9%) were uncommitted (P = 1.000). Most 68 (97.1%) thought ophthalmoscopy was necessary in all diabetics, while two (2.9%) did not (P = 0.709). Many (47.1%) had ever conducted ophthalmoscopy in diabetics, while 37 (52.9%) never (P = 0.036). Many MPs (34, 49%) always attended to diabetics; however, some 7/20 (35%) thought referring diabetics for eye consultations unnecessary. Conclusions: The surveyed MPs knew diabetes mellitus affects eye, but many never done ophthalmoscopy in diabetics and only few referred them for eye specialists′ assessment. The need for MPs to pay particular attention to assessment of diabetic eye disease and refer appropriately underscored.