ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge and demand of diabetic ophthalmopathy among the diabetes family members, and to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of diabetic ophthalmopathy in the rural community.

MethodsBy means of status survey, a questionnaire was designed and adopted for ophthalmopathy cognition, the access to the relevant knowledge and demands for health services research, etc.

ResultsA total of 1 207 family members of diabetic patients were investigated.The pass rate of the knowledge of diabetic ophthalmopathy was 75.89%.The awareness rate among them was low, including the old(>65y), the young(< 35y) and those with low education.There was significant difference in the awareness rate among different occupations.Main factors affecting regular eye examination were no obvious symptoms in the eyes (74.65%), less knowledge of diabetic ophthalmopathy (64.21%).And 75.89% of respondents hoped to gain relevant knowledge through community advocacy.They hoped that the community hospital would improve the equipment for fundus examination (88.59%) and offer free health checkups for the elderly including fundus examination (82.77%).

ConclusionThe awareness rate of prevention and treatment of diabetic ophthalmopathy in family members of diabetic patients is not high.When carrying out health education, we should pay attention to low-education population and the different concerns for different occupational groups.In building a home environment support, it is advisable to choose those with moderate age and higher education.The demand for community diabetic ophthalmopathy prevention and treatment services is large.We should pay attention to investment in software and hardware for diabetic ophthalmopathy in the community and strengthen the construction of community diabetic ophthalmopathy prevention and treatment service system.