Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a life style disorder that requires synergistic interaction among the patient, the family and health-care team. Retinopathy is the prime cause of new-onset blindness among young adults in the working age group. Therefore, it is important to screen patients with diabetes regularly for the development of retinal disease.

Aim and Objective: Assessment of the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR). To create awareness about avoidable blindness in diabetic patients and to direct the patient toward further evaluation and follow-up.

Materials and Methods: The study is a hospital-based, non-interventional, cross-sectional prospective study. The visual disorders are evaluated in 500 patients attending Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital. Estimation of visual acuity, color vision, slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure, retinoscopy and fundus examination, visual field analysis is done to detail the defective vision.

Results: Data are analyzed using SPSS. The common pathological changes in the posterior segment causing defective vision are DR - 94 patients (18.8%), Combined retinopathy - 10 (2%). The common associated systemic disease is hypertension - 210 patients (42%).

Conclusion: DR is the most common posterior segment manifestation of diabetes mellitus. Our goal is to prevent sight-threatening retinopathy from developing. Effective control of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and yearly screening fundus examination is essential for all the patients.