AIM: To investigate the prevalence and awareness of diabetic retinopathy(DR)among patients with diabetes mellitus in the Huamu Community of Shanghai.

METHODS: A total of 545 diabetic patients in the community's chronic disease file were enrolled in the Ophthalmologic Examination and DR Prevention Questionnaire. To know the prevalence rate of DR and to use chi-square test to check analysis the difference of prevalence rate. The descriptive statistical analysis of DR prevention and treatment knowledge was carried out in diabetes.

RESULTS: The prevalence of DR was 23.5%. And the prevalence of non-proliferative retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy was 20.9% and 2.6%. The patients with diabetes in the Huamu Community lacked sufficient awareness of DR prevention and treatment methods.

CONCLUSION: Using the chronic disease file for eye tests in diabetes can help prevent DR from beginning in the community. Awareness of DR in diabetic patients also needs to be improved.