Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2014 Aug;42(6):574-81. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12306. Epub 2014 Apr 09.

Physical inactivity as a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy? A review.

Clinical & experimental ophthalmology

Mohamed Dirani, Jonathan G Crowston, Peter van Wijngaarden

PMID: 24612423 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.12306

Abstract

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour have been identified as modifiable risk factors for diabetes. However, little is known of the associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and diabetic retinopathy. The development of diabetic retinopathy is associated with longer duration of diabetes, elevated blood pressure and poor glycaemic control. However these factors only explain a proportion of the risk of retinopathy in individuals with diabetes. Several studies have suggested a protective role for physical activity in diabetic retinopathy. Other work has shown that the time spent watching television is independently associated with abnormal retinal vascular signs. Limitations of the existing studies, such as the absence of objective measures of physical activity, a lack of sedentary behaviour measures, the inclusion of only those with type 1 diabetes and a lack of longitudinal data, make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the strength of these associations.

© 2014 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Keywords: diabetes; diabetic retinopathy; retina

MeSH terms

• Diabetic Retinopathy / etiology
• Exercise*
• Humans
• Risk Factors
• Sedentary Behavior*

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Review