Ocular and Visual Complications in Diabetic Patients at First Visit to an Ophthalmology Clinic in Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the retinal and ocular findings and identify factors associated with the timing of the first ophthalmology visit among diabetic patients in Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia, where there is concern that patients are not having prompt ophthalmic evaluation after diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 357 diabetic patients who had no prior ocular examination after their DM diagnosis at King Khaled General Hospital during the second semester of 2021-2022. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and the duration between DM diagnosis and the first ophthalmology visit were collected from medical records and analyzed using multiple regression. RESULTS: A significant delay was found between initial DM diagnosis and the first ophthalmology visit. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular edema was approximately 42% and 30%, respectively. Longer delays were significantly associated with older age ( P < 0.001), elevated HbA1C levels ( P = 0.022), coexisting hypertension ( P = 0.012), Type I DM ( P < 0.001), and lower education level ( P < 0.001). Patients ultimately diagnosed with DR had a significantly longer delay compared to those within normal limits ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A substantial delay exists between diabetes diagnosis and initial eye examination among patients in Hafar Al Batin, leading to a high prevalence of preventable, vision-threatening complications. These findings underscore the urgent need for proactive public health strategies focused on improving patient education and implementing timely screening protocols to mitigate the risk of vision loss from diabetes.