Exercise and Diabetic Retinopathy

By Dr. Kevin -

 A large study from China looked at how exercise affects diabetic retinopathy (DR) in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers followed patients for three years and used computer-based imaging to measure small blood vessels in the retina.

They found that people who did moderate to high-intensity exercise had lower chances of developing or worsening DR. Exercise was linked to healthier, wider small blood vessels, especially in the peripheral retina, which may be an early sign of better eye health.

Even after considering age, diabetes duration, blood sugar control and blood pressure, exercise still showed a protective effect. The clearest benefits appeared at 5+ sessions per week and at least 180 minutes per week of activity. Moderate-intensity exercise was enough—high intensity didn’t add much more benefit.

Overall, the study suggests that encouraging patients with diabetes to do regular moderate/high-intensity exercise may help reduce DR risk by improving small retinal vessels, though more research is needed to understand exactly how it works.

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