Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the Study Cohort.

Mean age, in years (SD)

52.3(9.2)

Age < 40 years

45/519 (8.7%)

Age 40–59 years

361/519 (69.5%)

Age ≥ 60 years

113/519 (21.8%)

Sex M:F

2.3:1 (362:157)

Mean duration of diabetes in years (SD)

15.9 (9.0)

Median (IQR)

15 (10)

Proportion of eyes with DME

426/1,032 (41.2%)

Referral source

Self referral

198 (31.8%)

Referred by another doctor or hospital

154 (29.7%)

Screening referral

167 (32.2%)

BCVA 6/12 or better both eyes

245/516 (47.5%)

BCVA worse than 6/12 to better than 6/60 (visual impairment in both eyes)

69/516 (13.4%)

BCVA 6/60 or worse in both eyes (blindness)

39/516 (7.6%)

BCVA in better seeing eye

BCVA 6/12 or better

408/516 (79.1%)

BCVA worse than 6/12 to better than 6/60 (visual impairment)

70/516 (13.5%)

BCVA 6/60 or worse (blindness)

38/516 (7.4%)

BCVA in worse seeing eye

BCVA 6/12 or better

245/516 (47.5%)

BCVA worse than 6/12 to better than 6/60 (visual impairment)

111/516 (21.5%)

BCVA 6/60 or worse (blindness)

160/516 (31.0%)

Fundus picture in both eyes

Low Risk PDR (ETDRS 61, 65)

193/516 (37.4%)

High risk PDR

(ETDRS 71, 75)

82/516 (15.9%)

Advanced PDR

(ETDRS 81–85)

41/516 (7.9%)

Fundus picture in better eye

NPDR

40/516 (7.6%)

Low Risk PDR (ETDRS 61, 65)

295/516 (57.1%)

High Risk PDR (ETDRS 71, 75)

140/516 (27.1%)

Advanced PDR (ETDRS 81–85)

41/516 (7.9%)

Fundus picture in worse eye

Low Risk PDR (ETDRS 61, 65)

216/516 (41.8%)

High risk PDR (ETDRS 71, 75)

159/516 (30.8%)

Advanced PDR (ETDRS 81–85)

141/516 (27.3%)

Treatment Naïve eyes at baseline

573/1,032 (55.5%)

Treatment naïve eyes

BCVA 6/12 or better

406/573 (70.8%)

BCVA worse than 6/12 to better than 6/60 (visual impairment)

97/573 (16.9%)

BCVA 6/60 or worse

70/573 (12.2%)

Persistent PDR post initial PRP

390/1,032 eyes (37.8%)

Stable PDR post initial PRP

69/1,032 (6.6%)

Treatment required in both eyes at presentation

439/516 (85.0%)