Perspective
According to the World Health Organization, over 400 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes. That number is expected to continue to climb, with the greatest increase expected to occur in Asia. This has large implications on a large number of people having ocular complications of the disease, given its various manifestations in the eye.
The exact mechanism underlying the inverse association between BMI, obesity and diabetic retinopathy is unclear in Asian populations. Further research is warranted in order to find the potentially protective characteristics contributing to decreased diabetic retinopathy rates. Understanding the underlying mechanisms can lead to potentially novel therapies to help reverse the ocular and maybe systemic manifestations and complications of diabetes.
Melissa Valdellon, OD, FAAO
Assistant clinical professor
University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry
Disclosures: Valdellon reports no relevant financial disclosures.