Diabetic involvement of the organ of vision

Abstract

Diabetic involvements of the organ of vision may be divided into extraocular and ocular. The first group includes xanthelasma and eczemas of the eyelids, hordeolum, chalasion, blepharitis, acute and chronic conjunctivitis, conjunctival angiopathies, and pareses of the extraocular muscles. The second group in- cludes*iridal dystrophy, anterior uveitis, cataract, glaucoma, asteroid hyalosis, lipemia rctinalis, and diabetic retinopathy with its complications (hemophthalmia, detachment of the retina, and neovascu- lar glaucoma). Diabetic retinopathy is a late complication of diabetes mellitus. The author discusses the epidemiology of this condition, its pathophysiological and clinical features, classification, contribution of local factors to its pathogenesis, and possibilities of treatment and prevention of the disease. He emphasizes the leading role of optimal correction of carbohydrate metabolism as a means preventing diabetic retinopathy and of timely laser photocoagulation of the retina in its treatment.