Ocular complications to diabetes and their treatment

Ocular complications to diabetes may be described as early or late, the late ones being by far the most important. Early complications are the frequently occuring transitory changes in refraction, and the more serious but rarely occuring diabetes cataract both possibly related to an overloading of the carbohydrate metabolism of the lens with accumulation of sorbitol. Oculomotor palsies (often III-nerve) and optic neuropathy may also occur. The pathogenesis of these lesions are unknown. Late complications comprise diabetic retinopathy (non-proliferative with or without maculopathy and proliferative), vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous membranes, traction detachment of the retina, hemorrhagic secondary glaucoma and a possible accelerating effect on senile cataract, and retinal vascular sclerosis. The treatment of the above mentioned complications is discussed, emphasis particularly being given to the retinopathy.