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Types of diabetic eye disease

Authoring team

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of eye problem affecting people with diabetes. Additional diabetes-related eye problems are also seen in these patients (1).

The ocular complication of diabetes may be specific to progression of the ocular disease or, more commonly, may be non-specific recognised associations of diabetes in the eye.

  • Specific:
    • retinal detachment cataract
      • caused by the accumulation of fluid between the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium and in non-diabetic patients most commonly results from a tear in the retina (rhegmatogenous retinal detachment)
    • rubeosis iridis
      • growth of new vessels on the iris in eyes with advanced retinal ischaemia
    • cataract
      • a specific form of “snow-flake” cataract is recognised in younger patients with diabetes
    • optic neuropathy
      • presents as swelling of the optic discs associated with gradual reduction in visual acuity
    • ocular muscle palsies
      • particularly with type 2 diabetes
  • Non-specific:
    • cataract
      • age-related cataract occurs earlier in patients with diabetes.
    • glaucoma
      • glaucoma is found more readily diabetics
    • retinal vein occlusion/optic disc swelling
      • people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing optic nerve disease due to vascular occlusion, which is distinct from diabetes-specific optic neuropathy
      • usually occurs in older patients with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension (2).

Reference:

  1. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2019. Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines. Diabetic retinopathy.
  2. Ghanchi F; Diabetic Retinopathy Guidelines Working Group. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' clinical guidelines for diabetic retinopathy: a summary. Eye (Lond). 2013 Feb;27(2):285-7. doi: 10.1038/eye.2012.287.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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