Research has
found that diabetic retinopathy may predict an increased risk in cardiovascular
events as we now see a close association between the presence and severity of
diabetic retinopathy and future cardiovascular (CV) events such as heart attack
or stroke. The relationship between diabetic retinopathy, its 4-year
progression, and CV outcomes including CV death or nonfatal myocardial
infarction or stroke was analyzed in participants in the Action
to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial who also participated
in the ACCORD Eye Study. The diabetic retinopathy was classified as either
none, mild, moderate, or severe and whether it was worsening was also graded.
The hazard of CV death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke increased by
38% for every category of change in retinopathy severity and steps of
progression further raised the hazard. Thus the researchers believe that both
the severity of retinopathy and its progression are determinants of
predisposition to CV outcomes. The retina may provide an anatomical index of
the effect of metabolic and hemodynamic factors on future CV outcomes.
If
you or someone you know is concerned about cardiovascular risk such as heart
attack or stroke as a result of diabetic retinopathy are encouraged to schedule
an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937,
visiting D’Ambrosio Eye
Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate
treatment plan.
D'Ambrosio
Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations
at 479 Old Union Turnpike,
Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts
01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner,
Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and
central Massachusetts area.
