Objective To explore the effect of knowledge

attitude/belief

behavior（KAP） theory-based refined nursing in patients with diabetic retinopathy（DR）. Methods A total of 114 patients with DR admitted to a hospital in Luoyang from September 2020 to September 2021 were selected and assigned to a study group and a control group using the random number table method

with 57 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received routine care

and patients in the study group KAP theory-based refined nursing. The health knowledge acquisition rate

compliance

uncertainty in illness scale

blood glucose level

Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities（SDSCA） scale and Vision Related Health Quality-of-Life（VRQo L） of the patients in the 2 groups were compared. Results The rates of health knowledge acquisition and compliance in the study group were higher than those in the control group

and the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. The scores of uncertainty in illness scale in both groups were lower than those before the intervention

and the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. The Fasting blood glucose（FPG）

2 h postprandial blood glucose（2 h PG）

and hemoglobin A1c（HbA1c） levels in the study group were lower than those in the control group after the intervention

and the differences were statistically significant（P <0.05）. The patients in the study group had higher SDSCA scores and VRQo L than the control group after the intervention

and the differences were all statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion The application of KAP theory-based refined nursing to patients with DR helps patients master health knowledge

control blood glucose levels

improve compliance

reduce uncertainty in illness

and improve quality of life.