Objective: Diabetic retinopathy is a highly specific micro vascular complication of DM and remains the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment. Accurate information about the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and associated risk factors is important for prevention of its development. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 DM in Bangladesh as well as the factors associated with DR.

Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Endocrinology at Enam Medical College and Hospital from January 2016 to June 2016. A total of 101 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated for retinopathy by three experienced ophthalmologist. Fundus examination was performed using slit lamp indirect ophthalmoscopy after pupillary dilatation with 1% tropicamide drops.

Results: The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 10.89%.Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (6.9%) was more common than proliferative retinopathy (3.96%).Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed and data regarding risk factors were collected. Chi–square and Man Whitney U tests were used to analyze data. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was positively associated with Systolic Blood Pressure, Triglyceride, and post prandial blood glucose. Though Diastolic blood pressure,LDL,HDL,,Total cholesterol,FBS,HbA1c,S.creatinine have some positive association with diabetic retinopathy.

Conclusion:

Diabetic retinopathy is common in newly diagnosed type 2 DM.Being a preventable and treatable complication if diagnosed and treated at earlier stages, a national strategy should be implemented to achieve the goal.