Are you at risk of diabetic retinopathy?
Any patient with diabetes mellitus can develop retinopathy, either type-1, type-2, or gestational (diabetes related to pregnancy). But, some risk factors may put some patients at a higher risk and require additional care, as follows:
The duration of diabetes:
The longer you have diabetes, the more the risk is for retinopathy.
Poor control of blood glucose levels:
Persistent high glucose levels enhance the harmful effect of glucose on blood vessels, which increases any retinal damage.
Hypertension (high blood pressure):
Like diabetes, hypertension has a damaging effect on blood vessels and causes hypertensive retinal changes that worsen the damage of diabetes. Most patients with diabetes develop hypertension, which aggravates its complications.
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol level):
It causes more damage to the blood vessels and fastens their damage by diabetes. It’s also a risk factor for hypertension and its complications.
Pregnancy:
The risk of retinopathy is higher for a diabetic woman who got pregnant and a woman who developed gestational diabetes. Thus, the pregnant woman should do a comprehensive eye examination and additional eye exams during pregnancy. Pregnancy also increases the risk of all complications of diabetes.
Smoking:
Smoking increases the risk of all diabetes complications, not only retinopathy. It also increases the risk of hypertension and its complications.
Race:
Hispanics and African Americans are at a higher risk.
Your doctor will consider these risk factors when managing retinopathy to reduce its progression. Also, you should know and avoid these risk factors to reduce the risk of retinopathy.
