Dark Horse
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The theory of 'metabolic memory' says that current retinopathy status is based on past, not current, HbA1c values.
HbA1c 2 to 3 years earlier had the greatest relative risk contribution to current progression of retinopathy. HbA1c up to 5 years earlier made a greater contribution than current values, while values from 8 years earlier still had an important impact. When HbA1c had been at 8% for a long period and was subsequently lowered to 7%, the salutary effects did not begin to appear until 2 to 3 years after lowering.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-010-1706-z
Background retinopathy does not affect your eyesight. Just a single microaneurysm will result in a 'background retinopathy' letter and tends to last a few years before it disappears. Thus, even if no new retinopathy occurs, the person continues to get a 'background retinopathy' result. Retinopathy is likely to improve with continued good glycaemic control.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-010-1706-z