Effect of an Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Self-Care Practices of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is considered a common and specific microvascular complication of DM that develops over a period of time and causes irreversible blindness. The study aimed to: Evaluate the effect of an educational intervention for diabetic retinopathy patients on improving their knowledge and self-care practices. Method: Quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study. Sample: A purposive sample of 100 patients from Mansoura Ophthalmic Hospital was included in this study and the sample had been divided equally into study and control groups. Tools: Data were collected using two tools; first tool was a structured interview questionnaire sheet and the second tool was self-care practices checklist. Main results: There were highly statistically significant differences among the study and control groups regarding their total knowledge and total self-care practices post implementing the educational intervention and at follow-up phases. In conclusion: Applying the educational intervention was effective in improving patients' knowledge and self-care practices. Recommendations: Ophthalmic nurses should be fully aware of their educational roles in preventing progression of the disease, collaboration between DM follow-up clinics and eye clinics in screening for DR was strongly recommended and this study should be replicated on a large sample to generalize its results.