The relationship between diabetic retinopathy, glycemic control, risk factor indicators and patient education.

Background: Hyperglycemia, high blood pressure and hypercholesterolemia are risk factors for diabetic retinopathy and vision loss in diabetic patients.

Objectives: To evaluate risk factors in patients treated for diabetic retinopathy in our hospital clinic and assess patients' awareness of the impact of glycemic control; and to compare the findings with those in patients followed in a community clinic.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional comparative study that included 178 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated in the Retinal Vascular Service of Rabin Medical Center from 1 September to 31 December 2004, and 107 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus examined in a community clinic during the same period.