Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight threatening complication of diabetes mellitus and is one of the leading causes of acquired blindness in adults. Various precipitating factors such as duration of disease, glycemic control, dyslipidemia, hypomagnesemia and microalbuminuria have been implicated in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. This study is an attempt to evaluate the diagnostic value of HbA1c in the onset & progression of Diabetic Retinopathy. Aim: The aim of the study was to find the association between HbA1c and diabetic retinopathy. Settings and Design: In this cross-sectional study, 50 diabetic patients with retinopathy, and fifty controls (age & sex matched). Methods: Five ml of blood was withdrawn under full aseptic conditions and was evaluated for Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. Fundoscopic examination was done to assess Diabetic Retinopathy. Results: Mean age of the cases was 53.73+/-8.10 yeas and of controls was 53.86+/-9.90 years. P value was 0.947 which is more than 0.005. There was no significant difference between the age of cases and controls. Mean FBS levels in cases was 209.88+/-62.165 mg/dl and in controls was 90.33+/-10.262. Mean HbA1c levels in cases were 11.102+/-2.3156mg/dl and in controls was 6.094+/0.9571. P value was 0.000 in both the parameters studied which is more than 0.005. A significant difference was seen among cases and controls in both the parameters. There was a strong association seen between HbA1C and Diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion: We have observed a significant association between DR and Poor Glycemic control. Progression of DR can be halted in the initial stages by improving diabetes management & regular ophthalmologic follow-up.
