The awareness of diabetic patients with different levels of retinopathy of eye complications associated with diabetes.

Background: Diabetes is the sixth main cause of mortality in the world, and its both types are accompanied with eye complications in a way that the risk of blindness in diabetic patients is 25 times more than normal people. Hence, this study was conducted to determine diabetic patients' awareness of the eye complications associated with this disease. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 200 diabetic patients referring to the eye clinic of Amir Kabir Hospital of Arak in 2008 were evaluated. Data collection was done through questionnaire and referral interviews. Then some of the factors affecting patients' awareness of eye complications associated with diabetes were analyzed. Results: The level of awareness of eye complications associated with diabetes in 40% of the patients was average. Also, significant relationships were observed between the level of awareness and age, job, education, type of retinopathy, type of treatment, and the history of referring to ophthalmologist (p<0.001), whereas no significant relationships were observed between the level of awareness and gender, familial history of diabetes, and controlling the diet (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that a higher level of awareness in diabetic patients does not necessitate that they observe a proper diet, but it can lead to patients' greater care in preventing the development of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]