This study shows that the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is lower in urban South Indians than in other ethnic groups. However, due to the large number of diabetic subjects, DR is likely to pose a public health burden in India; hence, routine retinal examination is mandatory to detect DR in the early stages.

There is a significant association of serum triglycerides with DR and LDL-cholesterol with DME.

In South Indian Type 2 diabetic subjects, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, male gender, macroalbuminuria and insulin therapy were independent risk factors for severity of DR. Postprandial hyperglycaemia indicated a higher risk for DR compared with elevated fasting plasma glucose levels.