Blood pressure control in type II diabetics with diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Large clinical trials have emphasized that blood pressure control provides a major clinical benefit in reducing the risk of blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: This audit was carried out to assess the quality of care for hypertension in 100 consecutive type II diabetics with diabetic retinopathy.

Results: The target blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg was achieved only in 38% of the patients. We also observed that 65% of the patients requiring diabetic macular laser treatment in this cohort had suboptimal control. The factors associated with suboptimal blood pressure control are identified and discussed.

Conclusion: Despite the unequivocal fact that lowering BP significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in diabetics, the majority of patients are not treated to a goal BP.