Visual symptomatology in patients with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy

Aims To assess the level of visual symptomatology in patients with sight-th reatening diabetic retinopathy. Methods Questionnaires were completed by patients undergoing first photocoa gulation treatment for diabetic maculopathy or proliferative retinopathy du ring a 2-month period throughout the UK, and at 9 months' follow-up. Results There were high levels of visual symptomatology prior to the first laser treatment and at follow-up for both patients with maculopathy or with proliferative retinopathy. Only 25.1% of patients with maculopathy and 17. 2% of patients with proliferative retinopathy were asymptomatic in terms of reading, seeing the television screen, recognizing faces or with their nig ht vision at baseline. For those with maculopathy 20.1% were aware of colou r vision abnormality in the eye to be treated at baseline and 9.5% were awa re of new central scotomata since the treatment. Of those with proliferativ e retinopathy, 13% said that they had given up driving due to poor eyesight and 19% were aware of new peripheral field defects since the treatment. Conclusions There are high levels of visual symptomatology for patients wit h sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in the UK despite that fact that s creening should aim to detect retinopathy prior to visual loss occurring. P atients should be aware that there may not be any significant improvement i n their vision with laser treatment, and that the main aim of treatment is to reduce the likelihood of further visual deterioration.