Ophthalmology
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Multicenter Study
Retinopathy and vision loss in insulin-dependent diabetes in Europe. The EURODIAB IDDM Complications Study.
To assess the frequency of retinopathy and vision loss in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and their relations to potentially modifiable risk factors. ⋯ Vision loss is a common complication of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, with diabetic retinopathy an important cause. Apart from poor glycemic control, several other potentially modifiable risk factors for retinopathy may be important, including elevated blood pressure, plasma triglyceride, and fibrinogen. In view of the possible barriers to the full implementation of strict glycemic control in this type of diabetes, additional strategies for the prevention and slowing of progression of retinopathy should be investigated, such as blood pressure and lipid lowering therapies.