Utilization of eye care services and associated factors among adults with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary teaching hospital in Northern Uganda.

Adults aged ≥ 18 years were consecutively enrolled.

A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The median age was 54 years (IQR: 40–65), with 70.4% (n = 295) female and 94.0% (n = 394) having Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Less than half of diabetic patients at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital utilized eye care services in the past five years, with higher education, longer diabetes duration, and knowledge of ocular complications significantly associated with utilization.