What are the Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic Retinopathy: Risk Factors, Causes & Vision Complications

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication in diabetic patients that damages the blood vessels of the retina. The retina helps carry light to the optic nerve, which changes it to an electric signal before reaching the brain. It is a serious progressive condition, and once it is advanced, it can lead to sudden blindness and complete loss of vision.

Common Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy

Let us understand in detail the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in adults.

Blood Sugar Level

Blood sugar level is a direct link to the progression of diabetic retinopathy. The higher the blood sugar level, the higher the risk of developing it. Patients who have an incessant glycated haemoglobin level can easily develop this condition.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure level is a detrimental factor not only for this condition but also for other complications. High blood pressure levels pose a greater risk of damaging the retinal blood vessels. Thus, patients with high blood pressure are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes Duration

It is one of the most prevalent and determining risk factors for the development of this serious diabetic complication. The longer any person suffers from diabetes, the higher the risk of getting it. More than 90% of patients suffering from Type 1 diabetes for more than 10 years can develop some extent of this condition.

Smoking

Smoking can increase oxidative stress inside our bodies, which results in blood flow impairment and damage to your retinal blood vessels. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and creates a hypoxic condition, which further damages those blood vessels and contributes to the development of retinopathy.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is associated with gestational diabetes, which can increase or worsen the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Psychological changes, such as hormonal shifts, increased blood volume, and alterations in vascular autoregulation, can put extra stress on those sensitive retinal blood vessels. Altered metabolic changes can exacerbate existing diabetic retinopathy or contribute to its development.

Other Health Complications

High cholesterol or neurological complications can lead to the formation of exudates (deposits in the retinal blood vessels), increasing the risk of moderate vision loss. Both retinopathy and neuropathy are independent risk factors for the progression of diabetic complications.

Family History

Diabetes is mainly a genetic or hereditary disorder that someone develops during their life. Individuals with a history of diabetes in their family are at a greater risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and its complications.

What are the Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Complications of diabetic retinopathy can lead to serious vision problems, such as:

Retinal Detachment

Diabetic retinopathy and abnormal blood vessels stimulate the growth of scar tissue, which may pull the retina away from the eye. It can cause severe vision loss or flashes of light and floating spots.

Glaucoma

The following condition can promote the growth of new blood vessels in your iris and interfere with the normal blood flow. This eventually causes increased pressure buildup inside your eye and damages your optic nerves.

Vitreous Haemorrhage

Newly formed blood vessels may trigger bleeding into your vitreous membrane (a clear jelly-like substance that fills your eye’s centre). In mild cases, you may experience small black spots in your vision, and sometimes, in serious cases, blood can fill your vitreous cavity and result in permanent vision loss.

It is not possible to eliminate diabetic retinopathy. However, frequent visits to ophthalmologists and controlling blood sugars can reduce its complications.