Long-term metabolic control and retinopathy in type I diabetes: ten-year follow-up

The causative relationship between metabolic control and long-term complications of diabetes is still under debate. Recent studies suggest that a strict glycemic control can often prevent the development of microcirculatory impairment but the role played by chronic hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of retinopathy remains controversial. We report the results of a retrospective study of data collected on a ten-year period and concerning the relationship between glycemic control and retinopathy. A group of 46 Type I diabetic people was studied. Results indicate that the probability of developing retinopathy or of worsening the degree of a pre-existing retinopathy is higher in patients with poor metabolic control. Deterioration of metabolic control (increase of HbAlc% levels) appears to be related to a progression of retinal lesions. On the contrary, retinopathy is not influenced by aging and duration of diabetes mellitus.