Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy

Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy: Prevention of eyes problems is best achieved by several approaches. Maintaining good long-term control of blood sugars greatly reduces the chance of having problems, and may also delay them. Having regular eye checkups, even when you sense nothing wrong, is a good way to detect any retina problems early enough that treatment has good results. The doctor can detect retinopathy before you notice it, and an eye specialist can find it before your doctor. Some medications and supplements such as Vitamin E and blood pressure medications (e.g. ACE inhibitors) have also been linked to reduced risk of diabetic eye problems in some studies.

Prevention list: Methods of prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy mentioned in various sources includes those listed below. This prevention information is gathered from various sources, and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic control
Quit smoking
Control blood pressure
Careful monitor blood pressure during pregnancy
Exercise carefully (weights, headstands) - some types of exercise that increase blood pressure can actually aggravate the eyes and a retinopathy condition.
Regular eye checkups
Vitamin E - may have some preventive benefit
ACE inhibitors - may have some preventive benefit
Aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors (Epalrestat, Tolrestat, Sorbinol) - There is some evidence that AR inhibitors such as Epalrestat and Tolrestat may help prevent retinopathy or delay its progression. These drugs also may help with cataracts.

Prevention statistics for Diabetic Retinopathy: The following are statistics from various sources about the prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy:

30,000 adults with diabetic retinopathy could maintain their vision by having timely laser therapy in the US (Research to Prevent Blindness, NISE, NSF)

Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) showed that better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy.¹

The NEI urges all people with diabetes to have an eye examination through dilated pupils at least once a year. If you have more serious retinopathy, you may need to have a dilated eye examination more often.

A recent study, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), showed that better control of blood sugar levels slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy.

The study found that the group that tried to keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible, had much less eye, kidney, and nerve disease. This level of blood sugar control may not be best for everyone, including some elderly patients, children under 13, or people with heart disease. So ask your doctor if this program is right for you.²

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Are You at Risk for Diabetic Eye Disease: NEI
2. excerpt from Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy: NEI

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

Medical Articles: