Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Patients Undergoing Fundus (Retina) Photography Screening at Primary Healthcare Centers in Bahrain

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness among people living with diabetes. Despite high diabetes prevalence in Bahrain, data on DR awareness remain limited. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and awareness of DR among 676 participants who were undergoing fundus photography at 7 primary healthcare centers. A pretested self-administered questionnaire evaluated sociodemographics, knowledge, awareness, and sources of information. Medical records confirmed diabetes diagnoses and provided comorbidity and glycated hemoglobin test data. The mean knowledge score was 73.0% ± 16.7, with 449 participants (66.4%) scoring 70% or higher. About 82.1% participants were aware of diabetes-related vision loss, 85.9% were aware that diabetes can cause blindness, and 18.5% accurately identified DR. Higher education was significantly associated with greater knowledge ( P < .001), with participants holding a bachelor's degree or higher showing the highest scores (78.4%) compared with those with no formal education (67.2%) or primary/intermediate education (65.8%). Higher knowledge was also associated with a longer diabetes duration (median 8 years; P = .026) and having a relative or friend with a diabetes-related eye disease (27.7% vs 15.4%; P < .05). The main sources of information were healthcare providers (66%) and the internet/social media (50%). The study revealed significant knowledge gaps, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions. Programs tailored to diverse education levels and utilizing digital platforms can enhance awareness, support prevention and management efforts, and reduce the burden of DR in Bahrain.