Updated January 01, 2014.

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.

<sub>Source:

American Optometric Association. Diabetic Retinopathy. AOA, 2006-09.</sub>