Abstract: Objective To explore the prevalence of rural cataract patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) over 50 years old and to provide basic epidemiological data for prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Methods According to the 1999 WHO diabetes experts committee of etiological typing diagnosis standard, 1336 cataract patients were performed the following examinations, an inquiry of the general situation and history of diabetes; ② clinical physical examination and body mass index (BMI); ③ fasting blood glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), etc; ④ fundus examination, diagnostic standard of Chinese Medical Association in 1984 to ocular fundus disease department of Ophthalmology study group DR staging criteria. Results Of the 1336 patients, 280 were diabetes, the prevalence rate was 20.95%; Of the 280 patients, 92 had diabetic retinopathy, the prevalence rate was 32.86%. The prevalence rate of diabetic retinopathy in all subjects was 5.98%. The prevalence of DR had significant differences in age (P<0.05), which was the highest in 65 to 80 years old patients 6.04%. There was a close relationship between the prevalence rate of diabetes, blood pressure and DR (P<0.05). Conclusion In-patient rural cataract patients had high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Jinan city; Duration of diabetes, blood glucose level and hypertension are important factors influencing the development of DR diseases.

Key words: Jinan city, Diabetic retinopathy, Prevalence rate, Cataract, Diabetes