A new study reveals that cases of diabetes-related eye diseases have nearly doubled over the past decade, although severe forms of the condition have seen a decline in recent years. The findings come from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Brian VanderBeek, senior author of the study, explained, “Our research shows that more than 30% of individuals with diabetes now suffer from some form of diabetic retinal disease, indicating a growing risk of vision loss. However, it also appears that the most severe cases of the disease are becoming less common, suggesting improved treatment outcomes for systemic diabetes.”
The study, which assessed medical claims data from over six million people diagnosed with diabetes between 2000 and 2022, focused on the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinal disease, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In the United States alone, approximately 38 million people have diabetes, with an additional 98 million living with prediabetes.
Diabetic retinal disease is a complication of diabetes that damages the retina and is one of the primary causes of sight loss in developed countries. Despite advancements in therapies and treatments, the condition continues to pose significant risks for those with diabetes.
The research revealed a substantial increase in the overall prevalence of diabetes-related retinal diseases, rising from 10.8% in 2014 to 20.8% in 2021. However, the incidence of the most severe forms of the disease has decreased by 10% over the same period. Specifically, cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy—the most advanced and vision-threatening stage of the disease—dropped by nearly 300%, from 8.3 per 1,000 person-years to just 2.6 in 2022.
Dr. VanderBeek noted the seemingly paradoxical trend, suggesting two possible explanations for the findings. “The increasing prevalence of diabetes-related eye conditions, coupled with the decline in severe cases, could reflect either better early detection and management of the disease or advancements in systemic diabetes treatment that are reducing the risk of vision impairment,” he said.
Despite the decline in severe cases, researchers stress the importance of continued monitoring and intervention, particularly as the number of individuals at risk for diabetic retinal disease continues to rise.
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