The Relationship Between Diabetic Retinopathy and Systemic Factors

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects entire the world and its prevalence is increasing. Most patients with diabetes mellitus will have developed diabetic retinopathy which can cause blindness in time. The treatment of retinopathy, a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, needs a multifaceted approach. For the follow up of diabetic retinopathy, beside ophthalmologist and endocrinologist, family physician and dietician as well should be aware of the disease. Delaying the formation of diabetic retinopathy or to have low intensity can be controlled by systemic factors. In patients with poor regulation of blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid profil, retinopathy is seen earlier and its progress is increasing. Therefore, regulation of systemic factors associated with the formation of diabetic retinopathy is very important in the fight against this complication. In this study, systemic risk factors of diabetic retinopathy were discussed with the review of recent literature