Autonomic neuropathy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Autonomic nerve function was assessed in 28 diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy and 61 age- and sex-matched control subjects, using a series of tests based upon cardiovascular reflex responses to standardised stimuli. Autonomic neuropathy was present in 75 per cent of diabetics with proliferative retinopathy, compared with 5.2 per cent of the control group. The implications of a significant association between cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are discussed.