Four common ocular complications of diabetes--and how to treat them

To minimize the risk of visual loss in diabetic patients, recognition of early signs of oculopathy is essential. Diabetes-associated third-nerve palsy is manifested by unilateral ptosis and exotropia. Symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma are intense pain, halos around lights, and blurred vision. Open-angle glaucoma does not necessarily produce symptoms and is treated medically. A gradual decrease in visual acuity, sometimes associated with photophobia and difficulty in night driving, and monocular diplopia, are manifestations of cataract. The patient with "background" retinopathy usually complains of blurred or distorted central vision. Once the macula is involved, vision progressively decreases. Although the relationship of metabolic control to retinopathy has not been settled, evidence indicates that good medical control of the disease may delay onset of vascular complications.