Introduction
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains one of the leading microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), often impairing vision and potentially leading to blindness. Despite advances in diabetes care, the long-term natural history and risk factors contributing to DR incidence require continuous investigation to refine prevention and treatment strategies. The Skaraborg Diabetes Register study in Sweden prospectively evaluates DR progression up to 24 years following T2DM diagnosis, providing valuable data on cumulative incidence and clinical predictors in a real-world setting.
