AIM: To investigate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and diabetic macular edema(DME)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).

METHODS: A total of 912 T2DM patients were enrolled in this study and underwent fundus colorized photography, fasting blood-glucose, glycated hemoglobin and renal function examinations. Estimated glomerular filtration rate assessed using modified abbreviated MDRD equation by Chinese eGFR investigation collaboration.

RESULTS:Among them, 29, 21 and 47 patients had mild, moderate and severe DME, 815 patients not had DME, respectively. GFR was gradually decreased in patients with no DME, mild DME,moderate DME and severe DME(F=8.87, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lower levels of GFR was significantly associated with presence of DME. And for every 20.3 \〖mL·min^-1·(1.73m²)^-1\〗 decrease in eGFR, the risk of DME increased by 1.84 times. Impaired renal function and kidney disease were associated with the presence of DME when compared to normal renal function in multivariable models(1.60 and 2.46 times).

CONCLUSION: In T2DM patients, lower eGFR is an independent risk factors for DME, and physicians were reminded to pay attention to changes in renal function when monitoring DME.