Optimising the management of diabetic retinopathy in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes in Australia

Abstract

Background: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness among people of reproductive age and is thought to be worsened by pregnancy. Findings from prior studies have been conflicting, many are outdated, and the majority only studied women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). It is crucial to identify those within this population who are most at risk of developing DR progression towards sight-threatening disease, so that appropriate management can be planned. Clinical decisions regarding DR management in pregnancy can be fraught, due to the need to give timely sight-saving treatment while also minimising adverse effects to the foetus. Despite these concerns, DR management guidelines ha..