Comments and Conclusions
- The National Eye Institute states often there are no symptoms in the early stages of the diabetic retinopathy, nor is there any pain. A comprehensive dilated eye exam should be done at least once a year.
- Diabetic Retinopathy is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease which affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. Despite these intimidating statistics, research indicates that at least 90% of these new cases could be reduced if there was proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eyes.2
- The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) as well as the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) have shown that hypertension is a significant risk factor in the development and progression of DR and should be aggressively controlled.1
- A target blood pressure of 130/75 mm Hg is suggested for any patient showing signs of retinopathy.2
- The DCCT observed that through intensive glycemic control, the risk for developing severe NPDR, PDR, CSME, and the need for laser surgery were reduced by 52% to 75% in patients with type 1 diabetes. The UKPDS found similar results in patients with type 2 diabetes.1
- A linkage between diabetic retinopathy and renal disease has long been recognized. One such study on type 2 diabetes in white males showed that 76% of the patients who progressed to diabetic nephropathy had diabetic retinopathy.3
- Aggressive treatment for hypertension, hyperglycemia, and high cholesterol in early nephropathy delays need for dialysis and kidney transplant and hence death.4
- Early detection of diabetic retinopathy (such as with SD OCT and Panoramic Ophthalmoscopy) is equivalent to early detection of diabetic nephropathy and may result in better outcomes with timely intervention.
- The combination of bad disease and poor compliance in DR often leads to rapid progression and blindness which is often preventable.