Objective:

To assess the uptake of eye examinations among adults with diabetes in Northern Uganda and identify barriers to care, highlighting the significance of addressing the diabetic eye care divide.

Key Findings:

• Only 46.8% of adults with diabetes reported having an eye examination in the past five years.
• Higher education levels significantly increased the likelihood of accessing eye care services.
• Duration of diabetes was a strong predictor of eye examination uptake.
• Patient awareness of diabetes-related eye complications was limited despite some recognition of ocular involvement.
• Socioeconomic constraints, such as low income and distance from health facilities, were significant barriers.

Interpretation:

Access to eye care services is insufficient; health literacy and patient engagement are critical for improving utilization, particularly in light of the socioeconomic barriers identified.

Limitations:

• Study conducted in a single location may limit generalizability.
• Self-reported data may introduce bias in the assessment of eye examination uptake.
• The socioeconomic status of participants may affect the generalizability of findings.

Conclusion:

Improving eye care utilization among diabetics requires addressing educational and behavioral barriers, alongside integrating eye care into routine diabetes management and considering socioeconomic factors.