Objective:

Determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of diabetic maculopathy in adults aged 50 years and over in Cuba.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted based on the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey developed in Cuba in the year 2016, which included diabetic retinopathy with validation by the World Health Organization.

Results:

Prevalence of any maculopathy grade was 8.5% (6.1 to 10.8), whereas observable, referable maculopathy was 4.2% (2.2 to 6.0). Risk for maculopathy was higher in the female sex with 9.3% (6.6-12.9) and among diabetics from the 60-69 years age group with 9.2% (5.7-14.0). Risk increased in uncontrolled glycemia and when the evolution of the disease was 15 years and over. Association with observable retinopathy was 2.5%. Moderate visual disability due to maculopathy was 1.4%, while severe disability and blindness were 0.8%. Treatment coverage was low (28.6% per persons).

Conclusion:

Prevalence of maculopathy is low among diabetics aged 50 years and over in Cuba, with similar behavior in the observable and the referable variants. Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy shows a higher risk for macular damage. Visual disability due to macular damage is low among diabetics, though the ophthalmological care strategy for diabetics does not achieve the required effectiveness standards in terms of laser therapy coverage.

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