What’s my risk for Retinopathy?
Your PCP or a specialist will monitor and treat your blood sugar,
blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It is important for your eye care provider and PCP or specialist to work together to manage diabetic retinopathy.
It is important for your eye care provider and PCP or specialist to work together to manage diabetic retinopathy.
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Duration of disease:
The longer you have had diabetes the more likely you are to develop retinopathy.1 -
High blood sugar:
Know your hemoglobin A1c level (HbA1c). It is a measure of your average blood sugar level over about 3 months. It is recommended that HbA1c be 7% or lower for most patients.2 -
High cholesterol:
Know your cholesterol levels and goals for good control.3 -
Pregnancy:
If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you are pregnant, speak to your primary care provider (PCP) or OB/GYN about goals for your blood sugar.4 -
High blood pressure:
Know your blood pressure numbers and goals for good control.5
Things you can do to help control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol include:6
- Taking your medications as directed
- Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight
- Moderate aerobic exercise that gets your heart pumping for a total of 2.5 hours per week
References
- Klein R, Klein BE, Moss SE, Davis MD, DeMets DL. The Wisconsin Study of Diabetic Retinopathy. II. Prevalence and risk of diabetic retinopathy when age at diagnosis is less than 30 years. Arch Ophthalmology. 1984;102(4):520-526.
- Ferris FL III, Nathan DM. Editorial. Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy Progression. Ophthalmology. 2016; 123 (9): P1840-P1842.
- Shi R, Zhao L, Wang F, et al. Effects of lipid-lowering agents on diabetic retinopathy: a Meta-analysis and systematic review. Int J Ophthalmol. 2018;11(2):287-295.
- Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. Diabetes Care. 2000;23(8):1084-1091.
- UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group. Tight blood pressure control and risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. BMJ. 1998; 317(7160): 703-713.
- Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(6): 393-403.
