INTRODUCTION. We aim to correlate the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy requiring laser treatment with the control of risk factors in the diabetic population of Tayside, Scotland, for the years 2001-2006.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. Retinal laser treatment, retinal screening, and diabetes care databases were linked for calendar years 2001-2006. Primary end points were the numbers of patients undergoing first or any laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. Mean HbA_1c and blood pressure and retinal screening rates were followed over the study period.
RESULTS. Over 6 years, the number of patients with diabetes in Tayside increased from 9694 to 15 207 (57% increase). The number of patients receiving laser treatment decreased from 222 to 138 and first laser treatments decreased from 100 (1.03% of diabetic population) to 56 (0.37%). The number of patients with type 2 diabetes treated for maculopathy decreased from 180 in 2001 to 103 in 2006 (43% reduction; p = 0.03). Mean HbA_1c decreased for type 1 and type 2 diabetic populations (p < 0.01) and a reduction in blood pressure was observed in type 2 diabetic patients (p < 0.01). The number of patients attending annual digital photographic retinopathy screening increased from 3012 to 11 932.
CONCLUSIONS. Laser treatment for diabetic maculopathy in type 2 diabetic patients has decreased in Tayside over a six-year period, despite an increased prevalence of diabetes and increased screening effort. We propose that earlier identification of type 2 diabetes and improved risk factor control has reduced the incidence of maculopathy severe enough to require laser treatment.