Assessment of Two-Phase Diagnostic Timelines in Diabetic Retinopathy and Contributing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
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By
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Manling Lin
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Guihua Zhang
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Hanfu Wu
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Yongqun Xiong
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Xiaoling Xiao
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Lixia Sun
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Chuhua Zhang
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March 14, 2026
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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.
References
