Assessment of prevalence and need for screening of diabetic retinopathy using non-mydriatic fundus camera in rural and tribal diabetic populations in Maharashtra.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of DR and the need for screening and management of DR with medical management of diabetes in rural and tribal population in Maharashtra.

Methods: The known diabetics of rural area and tribal area were screened at corresponding primary health centers, subcenters, and village level with the help of local healthcare workers using a portable non-mydriatic fundus camera. The prevalence of blindness among known diabetics in rural area was 1.29%, and 0.84% in tribal area.

Results: In the rural area, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was 5.67% ( n = 776), out of those 18.18% had sight threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR). The prevalence of DR was 7.73% ( n = 711) in tribal areas, out of those, 30.90% had STDR.

Conclusions: The significant risk factors were identified to be the duration of diabetes and poor glycemic control. Implementation of targeted interventions for screening and management are required to reduce the risk of blindness among known diabetics in rural and tribal areas.