Description

DIARETINEV identifies sample adults who have ever been told by a physician or other health professional that they had diabetic retinopathy.

The Field Representative's Manual defined diabetic retinopathy as "an eye problem of diabetes that damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. The retina is the tissue at the back of the eye." This definition was not routinely shared with persons. The National Eye Institute reports that diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness for American adults.

In 2002, those who answered "yes" to the survey question for DIARETINEV were asked a follow-up question about whether they had diabetic retinopathy during the past 12 months (DIARETINYR).

Other diabetes-related questions were periodically included in the survey; see DIABETICEV (ever told had diabetes) for a summary of these variables currently in the IPUMS NHIS.

Comparability

This variable is comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 2002, 2008, 2016-2017

Weights

• 2002, 2008, 2016-2017 : SAMPWEIGHT