Investigating the link between snoring and diabetic eye disease

Scientists have presented research examining the link between snoring and diabetic eye disease at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (12–15 October, San Francisco).

Researchers analysed data from all patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy over an eight-year period at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan.

They discovered that the rate of severe apnoea was almost twice as common in those with diabetic macular oedema than those without the condition (80.6% versus 45.5%).

The study team also found that severity of the eye condition increased with the severity of the patient’s apnoea.

Dr Juifan Chiang, from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, highlighted: "Based on these results, we hope that more medical professionals will approach sleep apnoea as a risk factor for diabetic macular oedema. This could allow for earlier medical intervention so patients can keep more of their vision and preserve their overall health as much as possible."

Image credit: Pixabay/cuncon