Correlation Between Systemic Risk Factors (Blood Pressure, HbA1c, Lipid Profile) and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic metabolic management has a significant impact on diabetic retinopathy (DR), which continues to be one of the major causes of avoidable blindness globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the severity of diabetic retinopathy in 150 patients over a one-year period (April 2025 to March 2026) and systemic risk variables, including blood pressure, glycemic control (HbA1c), and lipid profile.
Methods: In a tertiary care facility, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out. Based on a routine fundus examination, patients with diabetes mellitus were categorized into various phases of DR after undergoing a thorough ophthalmological evaluation. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c levels, and the lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) were among the systemic indicators that were noted.
Results: The severity of diabetic retinopathy was found to be statistically significantly correlated with poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 8%), raised systolic blood pressure (>140 mmHg), and dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). The greatest mean HbA1c and LDL levels were seen in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Advanced stages of DR were also linked to reduced HDL and elevated triglycerides.
Conclusion: The study comes to the conclusion that systemic factors are crucial in the development of diabetic retinopathy, highlighting the significance of thorough metabolic management in averting complications that could endanger vision.