types of diabetic eye disease

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 diabetics
• 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
• diabetics 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) 2016. Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines. Diabetic retinopathy.
• (2) The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) 2012. Diabetic retinopathy guidelines

Last reviewed 12/2020