title: Retinal Screening Acceptance, Laser Treatment Uptake and Follow-up Response in Diabetics Requiring Laser Therapy in an Urban Diabetes Care Centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the acceptance of retinal screening, Laser uptake and subsequent follow-up in diabetic patients attending the Diabetes Centre of Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP), Karachi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetic Centre of Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP), Karachi, from January 2011 to December 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  All the diabetic patients were screened for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) with non-Mydriatic Fundus Camera (NMFC). Patients with DR were examined by the ophthalmologist using fundus lens and slit lamp. DR was graded for severity on the basis of modified Airlie House Classification. Patients with Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy (STDR) were advised Laser treatment. Each patient was followed-up for at least 6 months. The records of patients recommended Laser were retrieved, and called for re-examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retinal screening was accepted by all of the 8368 registered diabetics attending DAP Centre. On fundus photography, 21.2% (1777) individuals were found to have DR. Seven hundred and five (39.5%) patients were found to have STDR. Laser was advised to 96.4% (680) of STDR patients; amongst whom 70.5% (480) accepted Laser treatment. Out of 480 patients who had Laser treatment, 21.2% (107) turned out for follow-up after 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acceptance of retinal screening and Laser application was good; but follow-up was suboptional.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard University, Karachi.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahsan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Diabetic Association of Pakistan, Karachi.
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvi
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Karachi.
authors.forename: Asher
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fawwad
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Karachi.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basit
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Diabetic Association of Pakistan, Karachi.
authors.forename: Samad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shera
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Based Project Research, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Sikander Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Muhammad Faisal
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fahim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015351:Vision Screening