Diabetic Retinopathy Linked to Sleep Apnea

Research presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 105th International Conference indicates patients with diabetes who have retinopathy should also be screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Research presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 105th International Conference indicates patients with diabetes who have retinopathy should also be screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because evidence strongly suggests a link between the two conditions.  “We know from our earlier research that 23 percent of men with type 2 diabetes have OSA and this is under-recognized and under-treated,” said Sophie D. West, M.D., of the Oxford Centre for Respiratory Medicine in the United Kingdom, who led the research.”  Sleep apnea is marked by snoring, periods of when breathing stops during sleep, and daytime sleepiness.  OSA can be diagnosed through a sleep study and can be treated with the help of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150754.php