Risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Type of diabetes - After 20 years of disease, nearly all patients with type I and 60% of patients with type II have some degree of retinopathy.

Duration of the diabetes - Increased risk of diabetic retinopathy

Age of patient - Diabetic retinopathy is more likely to present in patients older than 40 years.

Diabetic control - The Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) clearly demonstrated that tighter control of blood sugar is associated with reduced incidence of diabetic retinopathy. (Glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] should be less than 7%.)

Renal disease - Proteinuria is a good marker for the development of diabetic retinopathy; thus, patients with diabetic nephropathy should be observed more closely.

Systemic hypertension - Increased risk of retinopathy (diabetic retinopathy with superimposed hypertensive retinopathy)

Triglycerides and lipids - Normalization of lipid levels reduces retinal leakage and exudates deposition.

Pregnancy - Diabetic retinopathy can progress rapidly in pregnant women, especially those with preexisting diabetic retinopathy.

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