Objective: To determine the prevalence of retinopathy in 517 youth with type 2 diabetes of 2-8 years duration enrolled in the TODAY study.
Research design and methods: Retinal photographs were graded centrally for retinopathy using established standards.
Results: Retinopathy was identified in 13.7% of subjects. Prevalence increased with age, diabetes duration, and mean HbA1c. Subjects in the highest BMI tertile had the lowest prevalence of retinopathy.
Conclusions: Prevalence of retinopathy and its association with HbA1c and diabetes duration is similar to that previously reported in youth with type 1 diabetes and in adults with type 2 diabetes of known duration. The mechanism underlying the reduced risk of retinopathy in the most obese individuals is unknown. Follow-up of this cohort will help define the natural history of retinopathy in youth with type 2 diabetes.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00081328.