Diabetic retinopathy in African-American patients linked to high intake of calories, sodium

This study followed 469 African American patients with type 1 diabetes for six years. Patients completed a food frequency questionnaire and underwent a complete eye examination and blood testing at baseline and six years. Patients with the highest caloric intake at baseline had a higher risk of developing sight-threatening retinopathy at six years. High sodium intake early in the study correlated with the development of macular edema.