Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Retinal Vessel Resilience and Disease Progression
Published on: January 12, 2024
Association of insulin therapy with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional analysis from the
Jingyao Liu1, Qianhui Yang1, Juping Liu1
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Purpose:
To describe and investigate the associations between different glucose-lowering management and diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods:
Our study was a cross-sectional analysis. By comparing different glucose-lowering management methods, we aim to explore their impact on the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and their influence on its severity. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR).
Results:
Through the Beichen Eye Study (BCES), 844 patients were included in the cross-sectional analysis. The prevalence of DR was 19.30% among patients on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA), 50.00% on insulin treatment, and 37.12% among those on combined use, giving an overall frequency of 24.65%. No statistically significant differences were observed among different types of oral hypoglycemic agents on the incidence and severity of DR. Logistic regression showed insulin therapy was associated with the prevalence of DR [insulin: OR= 3.57 (95% CI: 1.16 ∼ 11.05), p= 0.027; combination: OR= 2.01 (95% CI: 1.39 ∼ 2.91), p< 0.001].
Conclusion:
Compared with OHA, either increasing insulin therapy or using insulin alone can be a risk factor for DR, yet it has no impact on DR severity.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

