Researchers at Indiana University School of Optometry found that individuals are at different risks for retinal damage from diabetes, with certain ethnic groups and males being at a greater risk.

“Complications to the retinas of diabetic patients are more likely in some groups, such as African Americans or Asians, even when economic and geographic factors are similar,” says IU School of Optometry Distinguished Professor Ann E. Elsner, Ph.D., who was the lead researcher of the study and worked with IUSO graduate student Vamsi Parimi, M.Sc., and IUSO Senior Scientist Thomas J. Gast, M.D., Ph.D., to analyze the data.

Diabetes is a widespread disease that causes damage to the eyes. The retina, which is the part of the eye that captures light and is necessary to initiate vision, is especially vulnerable. The research findings demonstrated that individuals in some ethnic groups were more likely to have damaged retinas, even when all the individuals lacked medical insurance.

The study looked at patients from several ethnic groups, all of whom had economic barriers to eye care. The sample of underserved patients from the same clinics had blood glucose levels much higher than is usually reported in clinical trials, which was related to the higher rates of retinal damage. Even though these extreme values of blood glucose were commonly present, the analysis showed that some ethnic groups were especially likely to have eye disease from diabetes, with African American males and Asians having higher rates of retinal damage than Caucasians.

The research found diabetic patients who are African American, particularly males, as well as Asian diabetic patients, should be followed closely by eye care professionals. Any diabetic patient who cannot bring their blood glucose to normal limits should also be followed carefully for eye and other complications. Many patients have economic or other barriers to health care. The consequences of lack of eye care are emphasized in this study.

Parimi V, Elsner AE, Gast TJ, et al. Clinically significant macular edema in an underserved population: Association with demographic factors and hemoglobin A1c. Optom Vis Sci. Jan 1 2024;101(1):25-36. doi:10.1097/opx.0000000000002096