Table 4.

Patients’ awareness of diabetic retinopathy (n=307)

Knowledge and awareness questionnaire	Correct answer	%
Is there any relation between retinopathy and DM?	Yes	86.0
Is blindness caused by diabetes mellitus?	Yes	79.2
Have your eyes been examined by a doctor in the last year?	Yes	63.2
If both eyes are good, screening for DR is not needed.	No	58.0
Is DR prevented by controlling diabetes mellitus?	Yes	89.9
Is it possible that newly diagnosed patients with diabetes have eye problems at the same time?	Yes	58.6
How often should a diabetic patient checkup his eyes?	Every 1 or 2 years	32.9
When you must screen your eyes after the first diagnosis of diabetes?	At the time of diagnosis	43.0
Do you think diabetic retinopathy is a condition that can be treated?	Yes	81.8
Do you think visiting an optometrist or eyeglass store is adequate for a diabetic person?	No	81.4