Medical conditions in patients with diabetic maculopathy.

Ninety-four patients with untreated diabetic maculopathy in at least one eye had their visual acuity and medical condition assessed and followed for 5 years. The mean patient age was 58 years (range 29 to 73 years) at the diagnosis of maculopathy, and they were predominantly non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDD). Thirty-two patients had maculopathy diagnosed at or within 2 years of the diagnosis of diabetes. Visual loss was severe, the mean final vision being 6/36 with 44 eyes blind. In addition to progression of the maculopathy, causes for loss of vision included complications of new vessels (vitreous haemorrhage and macular traction) often leading to complete blindness. Medical abnormalities were commoner than would be expected in a similarly aged normal population. Mean blood pressure was 163/90, 81 patients had degenerative vascular disease, 22 patients had nephropathy, and 35 had raised cholesterol levels. Twenty-six patients died during the study mainly from vascular disease and renal failure. No significant association was found between visual acuity loss and medical conditions, glucose control, type of therapy, age, diabetes duration, and mortality.