Background: The prevalence, severity, and quality of life (QoL) impact of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among African Americans (AA) with end-stage-kidney disease (ESKD) receiving dialysis are unknown. Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in 93 AA adults with type 1 (n=9) and type 2 (n=84) diabetes with ESKD on hemodialysis. The diagnosis of DR was based on a review of medical records and/or having a positive photograph with a portable hand-held device (Optomed Aurora retinal camera) reviewed by both artificial intelligence software (AEYE Health’s retinal screening system) and a retinal specialist. Visual acuity was assessed with the Snellen Chart. Associations with QoL (ascertained using kidney disease QoL and depression questionnaires), physical disability (ascertained using visual impairment questionnaire), and social determinants of health (SDoH) including personal and household income, marital status, health insurance, education, food insecurity, or employment status assessed by standardized questionnaires. Results: The overall prevalence of DR was 75%, with 33% of patients having mild, 9.6% moderate and 57.4% severe DR. A total of 43% had normal visual acuity, 45% had moderate and 12% severe visual impairment. We found high burden of disease, multiple SDoH challenges, and low QoL among all patients, with most unemployed or disabled, living below poverty line, mainly receiving public health insurance, reporting poor general health, and substantial time spent dealing with kidney disease interfered with daily and family activities. However, the presence of DR had no significant impact on physical health and QoL compared to subjects without DR. Conclusion: DR is present in 75% of AA patients with diabetes and ESKD on hemodialysis. ESKD has a significant burden on general health and QoL; however, DR has a minor additional impact on the overall physical health and QoL in people with ESKD and diabetes. Disclosure Z.E.Zabala: None. B.Moazzami: None. M.Egeolu: None. R.L.Caleon: None. A.Y.G.Gerges: None. R.J.Galindo: Consultant; Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi, Pfizer Inc., Bayer Inc., WW (Weight Watchers), Research Support; Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, Dexcom, Inc. R.G.Mccoy: Consultant; Emmi. L.Peng: None. G.Umpierrez: Research Support; Abbott, Dexcom, Inc., Baxter.

Background and Methods: This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in non-Hispanic African Americans (AA) with end-stage-kidney disease (ESKD) and their impact on quality of life. A total of 95 adults with type 1 (n= 10) and type 2 (n= 85) on dialysis diabetes were assessed for DR using portable hand-held (Optomed Aurora) with artificial intelligence report with AEYE Diagnostic System (AEYE-DS) , visual acuity using a Snellen chart, and social determents of health, and standardized questionnaires (Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQoL) , depression screening (Patient health Questionaire-9) and food insecurity. Results: Among the 95 participants (female 51%, mean age 59.5 ±12.3 years, duration of diabetes (DM) 18.2 ± 12.0 years and duration of dialysis 4.5±3.6 years) . A total of 55% of patients had a diagnosis of (DR+) , who had a longer duration of DM (18.8±9.5 vs. 15.8±12.2 years, p=0.20 and shorter duration of dialysis (3.6±2.7 vs. 5.9±5.0 years compared to DR negative (DR-) , p=0.09. Kidney Disease Quality of Life score on symptoms/problems related to ESKD and greater effect of kidney disease in daily life were lower compared to the general US, AA population with ESKD, p <.0001) . DR+ had worse physical health (p: 0.09) , greater rate of severe vision impact on quality of life (p= 0.01) , similar rates below the federal poverty level per household income (25% vs. 30%) , non-statistically significantly higher Ph-Q9 depression (6.9±5.3 vs. 4.8±4.1, p=0.16) , and food insecurity scores compared to without DR (1.07±1.51 vs. 0.83±1.56, p=0.33) . Overall, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 55% based on the AEYE artificial intelligence system. Diabetic retinopathy was associated with poor quality of life and physical health, higher rates of poverty, and greater impact of vision impairment on quality of life compared to DR negative. Our preliminary finding highlights the increased disease burden of DR in AAs with ESKD, indicating an alarming gap in care. Disclosure M. Egeolu: None. G. E. Umpierrez: Research Support; AstraZeneca, Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk. E. Manishimwe: None. Z. E. Zabala: None. B. Moazzami: None. R. L. Caleon: None. R. J. Galindo: Advisory Panel; Sanofi, WW International, Inc., Research Support; Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk. J. E. Navarrete: None. A. Y. G. Gerges: None. L. Peng: None.