PURPOSE: To analyze the ophthalmological profile of diabetic patients assisted by the multidisciplinary program at the Clinical Hospital of Ribeirão Preto-USP. METHODS: The analysis of the records of fundus ophthalmoscopy, performed by the same ophthalmologist, was carried out in 2.360 diabetic patients from 1983 to 2002, who were divided according to the follow-up period: group A - 0 to 4, group B - 5 to 9, group C - 10 to 14 and group D - 15 to 19 years. RESULTS: The frequency of retinopathy was: A - 16%, B - 29%, C - 36% and D - 44%. There were significant differences between A and the other groups (p<0,05) and no differences between B, C and D (p>0,05). CONCLUSION: Even with an organized and multidisciplinary care, diabetic retinopathy continues to be a frequent and hard control disease among diabetic patients.
Diabetic retinopathy; Regional medical programs; Delivery of health care; Hospitals, public
