Objectives: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and undiagnosed diabetes among Delaware nursing home and assisted care facility residents.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved the statistical analysis of comprehensive eye examination records of 2,063 nursing home residents residing in 18 facilities and 4 assisted living facilities in Delaware from 2005 to 2009. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted to identify the rates of retinal dot and blot hemorrhages and existing systemic diabetes diagnoses.
Results: The mean age of nursing home and assisted care facility residents was 77 years (range 9–104), and 64.4% were over the age of 80. Most residents were female (61.1%) and white (72.5%). 3.6% of the 2,063 nursing home residents had blot or dot hemorrhages in one or both eyes. 32.8% had a type 1 or type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Of the ones with a positive dot and blot hemorrhage finding, 56.8% had a diagnosis of diabetes, and 43.2% did not.
Discussion: There was a high prevalence of dot and blot hemorrhages without a systemic diagnosis of diabetes, indicating a need for regular eye care among residents.
Center for Excellence in Assisted Living CEAL@UNC
Advancing the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living through research, practice, and policy.
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