Eye care services for diabetic patients at Dr George Mukhari Hospital, Gauteng Province

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus characterized by hyperglycemia is a global health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an estimated 177 million diabetics worldwide and this number is expected to double by the year 2030 mainly because of the unhealthy life styles of not doing physical exercises and eating unhealthy food. The resultant obesity is putting people at risk of developing diabetes and micro vascular complications like diabetic retinopathy that can affect a person’s eyesight. Aims and Objectives: The aim and objectives of this study were to determine the socio-economic characteristics and the level of awareness regarding the eye care services offered by the diabetic clinic at Dr George Mukhari Hospital as well as to identify the referral patterns and possible factors that may influence diabetic patients to utilize these offered services. Study methodology: Data was collected from adult diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinic at Dr George Mukhari Hospital by making use of an anonymous researcher assisted structured questionnaire. The questionnaire had sections covering the socio demographic and epidemiological information of the respondent; awareness about diabetic complications with emphasis on routine eye care; referral patterns of health professionals to the eye specialist and other barriers that the respondents experienced in attending the available eye care services. Results: Data was collected from a total of 175 respondents. The majority of the respondents were African (98%) females (75%) and older than 56 years of age (82%). Basically all the respondents (98%) did not have a medical aid and 50.3% of them were unemployed and had to make use of public transport to visit the clinic. Ninety six percent of the respondents were aware of the fact that diabetes can cause eye complications and that a routine eye test is important to prevent blindness. In this group of participants there was a referral rate of 95% which proved to be very successful because only 18% of the respondents were in need of an eye operation while the rests were treated for minor problems and then discharged. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study all indications are that the referral patterns for diabetic patients from the diabetic clinic at the Dr George Mukhari hospital for eye testing is effective. All efforts should be made to ensure that diabetic patients go for a yearly routine eye test.