Role of Antioxidant on Diabetic Retinopathy Patients-A Randomized Controlled Study

Diabetic retinopathy is a chronic progressive sight threatening disease of the retinal microvasculature associated with the prolonged hyperglycemia and other conditions linked to diabetes mellitus. It is usually due to damage to the tiny blood vessels next to the retina and is commonly caused by diabetes. The present study is aimed to assess the effect of antioxidant supplementation on diabetic retinopathy patients. A total of 92 patients with diabetic retinopathy were enrolled in this randomized controlled study from ophthalmology department of tertiary care hospital. Patients were randomized into two groups viz., usual care (n=46) and intervention group (n=46). Patients in intervention group received vitamin-E along with their regular medicines which usual care group patients received. Demographic details and direct fundus ophthalmoscopy were monitored. Blood samples were analyzed for the levels of random blood sugar level, HbA and lipid profile for 1c both groups. Quality of life (QoL) of patients were assessed using RAND 36 questionnaire. No significant difference was observed with respect to glycemic levels between usual care and intervention group but there was significant (P<0.05) increase in role physical and role emotional after 12 week treatment of vitamin-E. The study concluded that vitamin - E is natural antioxidant and it is found to be effective in improving QoL in diabetic retinopathy patients, suggesting further investigation is warranted.