Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease that affects people living with diabetes, with several key factors increasing its risk and severity. Understanding these risk factors can help patients and families actively protect their eye health.​

Major Risk Factors

• Duration of Diabetes: The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. After 15 years, up to 80% of people with type 1 diabetes will show some retinopathy changes.​

• Poor Blood Sugar Control: Consistently high blood sugar levels or significant fluctuations directly damage the retina’s blood vessels.​

• High Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure stresses the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, leading to faster disease progression.​

• High Cholesterol: Excess cholesterol can form fatty deposits in retinal vessels, worsening the damage from diabetes.​

• Pregnancy: Pregnancy can accelerate retinopathy’s progression in women with preexisting diabetes; regular eye checks during pregnancy are especially important.​

• Smoking and Tobacco Use: Smoking restricts blood flow and oxygen to the retina, making complications more likely.​

Other Influencing Factors

• Ethnicity: Some groups, including Black, Latino, and Native American populations, face an increased risk, often due to higher diabetes rates.​

• Genetic Predisposition: Family history and certain genetic markers can raise the chances of diabetic retinopathy.​

• Kidney Disease and Obesity: These conditions sometimes coexist with diabetes and can make eye complications more severe.​

• Age: Both young onset and progressing age play a role in how diabetic retinopathy develops and worsens over time.​

Protecting Eye Health

Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, avoiding tobacco, and attending regular eye exams are proven steps to lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy and preserve vision, especially for those at higher risk.​

By understanding and addressing these factors, individuals with diabetes can work proactively with medical professionals to protect their sight and overall well-being.

References​

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7478682/

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611

3. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Diabetic-Retinopathy-Risk-Factors.aspx

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3841946/

5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_retinopathy

6. https://modernod.com/articles/2021-nov-dec/a-diabetic-retinopathy-risk-factor-checklist

7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2162098924000689

8. https://www.eastsideeye.com/blog/understanding-diabetic-retinopathy-symptoms-and-risk-factors

9. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy

10. https://asgeyehospital.com/blog/explore-the-diabetic-retinopathy-risk-factors-for-clear-vision

11. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ceo.12696

12. https://www.metropolisindia.com/blog/preventive-healthcare/diabetic-retinopathy-what-it-is

13. https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/assistance/diseases/diabetic-retinopathy/causes-and-risk-factors

14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5088444/

15. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8591-diabetic-retinopathy

16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3809270/