4. Diabetes and the visual problems associated with it

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in adults of working age (16-64) in the UK ( Liew et al, 2014 ). People with DM are at increased risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy ( Mukesh et al, 2006 ; Newman-Casey et al, 2011 ; Scanlon, 2008 ). As the number of people who have diabetes grows, increasing numbers of them are at risk of developing visual problems as a result of diabetes. Early detection of diabetes, managing diabetes well, avoiding damage caused by hyperglycaemia, and regular screening programmes can reduce the risk of sight loss in people with diabetes. This article explains how diabetes increases the risk of visual problems, how risks can be reduced and how problems can be treated.