Assessment of Two-Phase Diagnostic Timelines in Diabetic Retinopathy and Contributing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
By
Manling Lin
Guihua Zhang
Hanfu Wu
Yongqun Xiong
Xiaoling Xiao
Lixia Sun
Chuhua Zhang
March 14, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Assessment of Two-Phase Diagnostic Timelines in Diabetic Retinopathy and Contributing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Key Mechanisms Progressive retinal microvascular damage related to long-term glycemic exposure. Target Population Adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Care Setting Specialized ophthalmology outpatient clinics and hospitals.
Key Highlights
DR is a leading preventable cause of blindness in working-age adults. Approximately 103.1 million adults with diabetes had DR in 2020. The prevalence of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) was 6.17%. Early-stage DR often lacks symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis. Two distinct phases in the DR diagnosis process are identified. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale (ICDR) for diagnosis. Management
Focus on early diagnosis to reduce visual impairment risk. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor diabetes duration and ocular symptoms for timely intervention. Risks
Patients delaying medical attention for more than 6 months are at higher risk for poorer disease awareness. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, newly diagnosed with DR.
No prior DR-related treatment is allowed for study participants.
Clinical Best Practices
Identify critical time windows for DR diagnosis to optimize screening strategies. Encourage patient education on the importance of early symptom recognition. Implement regular monitoring of patients with a diabetes duration of ≥ 10 years. Related Resources & Content
