Blood Pressure and Glycemic Control Key to Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy

Strict blood pressure and glycemic control are effective in reducing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy and remain "the cornerstone in the primary prevention" of the disorder, according to a review published in JAMA.
Researchers examined 41 studies with a minimum follow-up of 12 months and 3 meta-analyses.
The 10-year Diabetes Control and Complications Trial found that, over 6.5 years of follow-up, intensive glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes reduced the incidence of diabetic retinopathy by 76% and progression by 54%, compared with conventional treatment. Tight blood pressure control had a similar effect, with one U.K. study reporting a 34% reduction in progression after 9 years' follow-up.