Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Unsaturated fats and progression of diabetic retinopathy

  • Published:
Documenta Ophthalmologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two groups of adult-onset diabetics, matched according to 10 different criteria, were followed, biochemically and fluorescein-angiographically, over a period of 6 years. One group used a saturated-fat diet, and the other group of patients were on an unsaturated-fat diet, particularly rich in linoleic acid.

Statistically significant differences were found in biochemical data and in the progression of diabetic microangiopathy between the two groups.

The conclusion is warranted that a linoleic acid-rich diet, administered over an extended period of time, may inhibit the development of microangiopathy, or the deterioration of diabetic retinopathy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Preliminary report on effects of photocoagulation therapy. Amer. J. Ophthal. 81: 383–396 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Photocoagulation treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: the second report of diabetic retinopathy study findings. Ophthalmology 85: 82–106 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eck, W.F. van. The effect of a low fat diet on the serum lipids in diabetes and its significance in diabetic retinopathy. Amer. J. Med. 27: 196 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henkes, H.E. & Houtsmuller, A.J. Fundus diabeticus, an evaluation of the preretinopathic stags. Amer. J. Ophthal. 60: 662–670 (1965).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Houtsmuller, A.J., Broek-Boot, M.M.A. van den & Peters, G.A.M. Influence of various diets on diurnal levels of plasma glucose, insulin, and lipids in obesity and insulin in dependent diabetics. In: Atherosclerosis II; ed. by G. Scheffer & A. Weizel. Berlin, Springer Verlag, 1974. p. 782.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houtsmuller, A.J. The role of fat in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In: the role of fats in human nutrition; ed. by A.J. Vergroesen. London, Academic Press, 1975. p. 231.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Eye Hospital, Schiedamse Vest180, 3011 BH, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    A. J. Houtsmuller

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Eye Hospital, Schiedamse Vest180, 3011 BH, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    K. J. Zahn & H. E. Henkes

Authors
  1. A. J. Houtsmuller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. J. Zahn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. E. Henkes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Houtsmuller, A.J., Zahn, K.J. & Henkes, H.E. Unsaturated fats and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Doc Ophthalmol 48, 363–371 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141465

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141465

Keywords

Search

Navigation