Ophthalmic knowledge and beliefs among women with diabetes.

Many patients with diabetes do not obtain the recommended annual dilated eye exam that is necessary for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. In this study, 150 suburban, low-income women with diabetes were interviewed using a structured telephone questionnaire that included subscales of ophthalmic knowledge and beliefs regarding barriers, benefits, concerns, and self-efficacy related to receiving recommended ophthalmic screening. The data revealed significant gaps in knowledge about diabetes-related eye complications. More than half of the subjects did not know that eye complications may be asymptomatic and that there are ways to lower the risk of eye problems. Over three quarters did not mention having drops put in their eyes as part of an eye exam, one fifth did not know what type of health provider should perform an eye exam, and 17% did not know that annual eye exams were recommended. Subjects were concerned about eye complications associated with diabetes, were aware of the benefits of eye exams, and reported high levels of self-efficacy for receiving an annual eye exam.