Abstract
Introduction: Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the major causes of visual impairment and blindness in Indians suffering from Diabetes mellitus. Early detection and treatment are the key to stop its progression. Onset and progression of Diabetic Retinopathy can be assessed by regular HbA1c tests in every three months, Duration of diabetes, Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia. This study assess association between HbA1c levels and severity of Retinopathy.
Materials and Methods: this was a progressive study conducted in Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh over a period of 1 year. Total 100 patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes mellitus and visiting institution were included in this study. HbA1c, Fasting and post prandial blood glucose, lipid profile were tested in all the subjects. Ophthalmological fundus examination was done using slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy in all patients. Patients were followed up for 1 year for progression of disease.
Results: there was a strong association between high and uncontrolled levels of HbA1c and severity of Diabetic retinopathy. A statistically significant association was found (p < 0.01). however, retinopathy was not related to HbA1c alone. There were other risk factors like duration of diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia which also contributed to the progression.
Conclusion: HbA1c levels > 7.0% was significantly associated with Diabetic Retinopathy. The severity of retinopathy was dependent on Blood glucose levels and duration of diabetes. Strict control of HbA1c levels is crucial to prevent diabetic retinopathy and its vision impairing complications.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Rajkumar Patra MS
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Nellimarla, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v10i1.03
