Funduscopic examination of patients with diabetes who are admitted to hospital.

The charts of 123 patients with diabetes mellitus who were admitted to hospital were reviewed; 35 (28%) did not undergo funduscopic examination to detect diabetic retinopathy, and in 27 (22%) the examination was inadequate. Only four patients were referred to an ophthalmologist. Evidence of nephropathy and admission for diabetes control did not increase the probability of funduscopic examination. The findings suggest that house staff lack awareness of the natural history of diabetic retinopathy and of the success of current treatment. Annual funduscopic examination by an ophthalmologist in patients with diabetes is recommended, from the time of diagnosis in those with type II diabetes and starting 8 to 10 years after diagnosis in those with type I diabetes.