To assess the associations between objectively measured sleep duration, sleep disturbances and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

This cross-sectional study recruited 92 patients with diabetes from retinal clinics. Objective measurements of sleep duration, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and minimum oxygen saturations (SaO2) were obtained through polysomnography. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Insomnia Severity Index were administered. Retinal photographs were taken and graded according to the modified Airlie House Classification System. Regression analysis used to determine associations with outcomes including moderate DR, vision-threatening DR (VTDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME).

Mean age of participants was 57.6 ± 8.3 years. 29 (32%) of them had moderate DR, and 17 (18.5%) had VTDR. Higher AHI (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 1.07) and short sleep duration (OR 3.22; 95%CI 1.18, 8.79) were associated with moderate DR. VTDR was associated with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (OR 4.73; 95%CI 1.46, 15.31), higher AHI (OR 1.06; 95%CI 1.02, 1.10) and lower minimum SaO2 (OR 0.89; 95%CI 0.83, 0.96). High risk for insomnia was associated with DME (OR 4.01; 95%CI 1.09, 14.73).

Short sleep duration was associated with moderate DR while OSA-related parameters and a high risk for insomnia were associated with moderate DR, VTDR and DME.