The effect of diabetic control on the incidence of, and changes in, retinopathy in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between retinopathy and the levels of diabetic control found in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The study covered a four-year period and used retrospective, routinely recorded general practice and optometry records from 260 patients; those with retinopathy (n = 38) and those without retinopathy (n = 222). The study demonstrated a strong relationship between the presence of retinopathy and long-term diabetic control as measured by glycosylated HbA1c, disease duration and, to a lesser extent, the level of urine microalbumin. Blood pressure, cholesterol, body-mass index, and smoking status showed little association with the presence of retinopathy. We conclude that retinopathy, assessed by community optometrists, is a significant correlate of poor diabetic control.