Question: What risk factors are associated with diabetic retinopathy?
I have Type-2 diabetes. Am I at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy?
Answer: Everyone with diabetes, including both Type 1 and Type 2, is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. However, those with Type-2 diabetes are more likely to contract diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina diabetic retinopathy and is a leading cause of blindness in adults.
Factors that increase your risk for developing diabetic retinopathy include being of Hispanic or African American descent; having additional health problems such as high blood pressure, kidney disease or high cholesterol; being pregnant; having poor glucose control and smoking.
If you have any of the risk factors associated with developing diabetic retinopathy, make sure to have a dilated eye examination every year.
Source:
American Optometric Association. Diabetic Retinopathy. AOA, 2006-09.
