Retinopathy in Individuals With and Without Prediabetes: A Prospective Clinic-Based Comparative Study

Objective: Prediabetes is an intermediate state of hyperglycemia that does not reach the diagnostic limits of diabetes mellitus (DM). Retinopathy, a chronic microvascular complication of DM, is the most common cause of preventable blindness in people aged 20-65. This study aimed to investigate the presence of retinopathy in individuals with and without prediabetes.Methods: The study included 56 patients diagnosed with prediabetes, who visited the periodic health examination outpatient clinic of a hospital between April and September 2022, and 47 people without a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes, regardless of their additional chronic diseases. Measurements taken included weight, Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and systolic-diastolic blood pressure, along with various laboratory tests. Each patient underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, which included assessments of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment and fundus examinations, and measurements of central foveal thickness (CFT) and mean foveal thickness (MFT) using Spectral field optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Results: Diabetic retinopathy was found in 1 of the 56 prediabetic patients, and hypertensive retinopathy in 2 patients. In the non-prediabetic group, no diabetic retinopathy was found, but hypertensive retinopathy was present in 2 individuals. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of retinopathy between the prediabetic and non-prediabetic groups (p=0.796).Conclusion: The study observed no significant difference in the incidence of diabetic retinopathy between patients with and without prediabetes. However, maintaining blood pressure regulation, monitoring lipid panels, and controlling weight in prediabetic patients are crucial to preventing the progression to DM.