ObjectiveDiabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of visual impairment after cataract and uncorrected refractive error. It has major public health implications globally, especially in countries such as India where the prevalence of diabetes is high. With timely screening and intervention, the disease progression to blindness can be prevented, but several barriers exist. As compliance to diabetic retinopathy screening in people with diabetes is very poor in India, this study was conducted to explore understanding of and barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening from the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers.MethodsUsing qualitative methods, 15 consenting adult patients with diabetes were selected purposively from those attending a large tertiary care private eye hospital in southern India. Eight semistructured interviews were carried out with healthcare providers working in large private hospitals. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework analytical approach.ResultsFour themes that best explained the data were recognising and living with diabetes, care-seeking practices, awareness about diabetic retinopathy and barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening. Findings showed that patients were aware of diabetes but understanding of diabetic retinopathy and its complications was poor. Absence of symptoms, difficulties in doctor–patient interactions and tedious nature of follow-up care were some major deterrents to care seeking reported by patients. Difficulties in communicating information about diabetic retinopathy to less literate patients, heavy work pressure and silent progression of the disease were major barriers to patients coming for follow-up care as reported by healthcare providers.ConclusionsEnhancing patient understanding through friendly doctor–patient interactions will promote trust in the doctor. The use of an integrated treatment approach including education by counsellors, setting up of patient support groups, telescreening approaches and use of conversation maps may prove more effective in the long run.

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Purpose: The objective of this study was to estimate the level of visual impairment in patients diagnosed to have age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) who presented to low-vision care (LVC) clinic at a tertiary eye care center in India, to analyze the type of distant and near devices prescribed to them and to compare the visual benefit in different age groups among patients with ARMD. Methods: A retrospective review was done for 91 patients with low-vision secondary to ARMD who were referred to the LVC clinic from 2016 to 2017. Demographic profile: age, gender, occupation, ocular history, visual acuity status, and type of low-vision device (LVD) preferred were documented. The details of LVDs and subsequent improvements were noted. Result: Of the 91 patients, 64 (70.3%) were men and 27 (29.7%) were women. Of the cases which were referred, 36.26% had a severe visual impairment (VI), 32.96% had moderate VI, 28.57% had mild VI, and 5.49% had profound VI. The majority of the patients had myopia 57 (62.63%), followed by hyperopia in 25 (27.47%) subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups based on age 40–65 years, 66–75 years, and above 75 years for the analysis of VI. There was a statistically significant improvement ( P < 0.01) in near vision with the help of LVDs in all three groups. SEE TV binocular telescope was the most commonly prescribed LVD for viewing distant objects. The most commonly preferred magnifier for near work was half-eye spectacle (56%) followed by stand magnifier (9.9%) and portable video magnifier (9.9%). Conclusion: The use of LVDs can help these patients with ARMD in cases where medical and surgical treatment have no or a limited role in restoring useful vision.

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