Just as the examination of the eye can reveal a variety of medical problems involving other parts of the body, many medical problems can affect the visual system itself. While there are entire textbooks devoted to this subject, this section looks at selected medical problems and how they affect the eye and vision.

• BODY MASS INDEX
  Calculate your own Body Mass Index, based on height and weight, and see how it may increase the risk for cataract, retinal vascular disease, and death.
   

• DIABETES AND THE EYE (this page)
  Read summaries of important published research discussing the effect of diabetes and diabetic control on diabetic retinopathy.

Related Sections in the Richmond Eye Associates Site:

• Eye Health and Disease: Diabetic Eye Disease
  This is a discussion of how diabetes can affect the eye, and of treatment and testing of diabetic retinopathy.
   

• Drugs and the Eye
  This is a partial listing of medications (prescription and non-prescription, legal and illegal) and their ocular side effects.

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DIABETES AND THE EYE

An example of diabetic retinopathy
of the left eye with numerous
retinal hemorrhages.

The following is a chronological list of journal articles regarding diabetic retinopathy that are summarized on subsequent pages. A brief description of the article is given as well:

• Sept. 1994
  Incidence and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

  The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy: XIV. Ten-Year Incidence and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy
  (From Archives of Ophthalmology 1994;112:1217-1228, Klein R, MD, et al.)

  This study examines the 10-year incidence and progression of 3 groups of diabetic patients (insulin taking individuals diagnosed before age 30, insulin taking individuals diagnosed at age 30 or older, and non-insulin taking individuals diagnosed at age 30 or older).
   

• Jan. 1995
  Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy with Intensive Treatment of Diabetes

  The Effect of Intensive Diabetes Treatment on the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
  (From Archives of Ophthalmology 1995;113:36-51, The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group)

  This study looks at the magnitude of the decrease in the risk of retinopathy progression observed with intensive treatment of diabetes. All patients were insulin-dependent.
   

• Sept. 1998
  The Effect of Intensive Treatment of Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus on the risk of Complications

  Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33)
  (From Lancet 1998; 352: 837-853, UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group)

  This study looks at the risk of microvascular complications in non-insulin dependent diabetics with intensive control of blood glucose compared to conventional treatment.
   

• Sept. 1998
  Effect of Tight Blood Pressure Control and the Risk of Complications in Type 2 Diabetes

  Tight blood pressure control and risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes: UKPDS 38
  (From the British Medical Journal 1998;317:703-713, UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group)

  This study looks at the tight control of blood pressure in non-insulin dependent diabetes, and its effect on microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy.
   

• Oct. 1998
  Incidence and Progression of Type I Diabetes Mellitus

  The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy: XVII The 14-year Incidence and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Associated Risk Factors in Type I Diabetes
  (From Ophthalmology 1998;105:1801-1815, Klein R, MD, et al.)

  This study looks at the 14-year incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy in Type I diabetics, and examines various risk factors.
   

• Dec. 1998
  Antioxidants Nutrient Intake and the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes

  Antioxidant Nutrient Intake and Diabetic Retinopathy: The San Luis Valley Diabetes Study
  (From Ophthalmology 1998;105:2264-2270, Mayer-Davis EJ, PhD, Et al.)

  This study looks at the relationship between antioxidant nutrients (such as vitamins C and E, and Beta-carotene) and the risk of diabetic retinopathy. The study subjects were Type 2 diabetics.
   

• Nov. 1999
  Association of Ocular Disease and Mortality in a Diabetic Population

  Association of Ocular Disease and Mortality in a Diabetic Population
  (From Archives of Ophthalmology 1999;117:1487-1495, Klein R, MD, et al.)

  This study looks at associations between specific ocular conditions and causes of mortality in younger and older onset diabetics.
   

• Jan. 2000
  Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans with Type I Diabetes

  Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans with Type I Diabetes: The New Jersey 725, Part I. Methodology, population, frequency of retinopathy, and visual impairment
  (From Archives of Ophthalmology 2000;118:97-104, Roy, Monique S MD.)

  This study looks at the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with Type I diabetes, and its association with duration of diabetes and age.
   

• Jan. 2000
  Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans with Type I Diabetes

  Diabetic Retinopathy in African Americans with Type I Diabetes: The New Jersey 725, Part II. Risk Factors
  (From Archives of Ophthalmology 2000;118:105-115, Roy, Monique S MD.)

  This study looks at associations between glycemic control, system hypertension, renal disease, socioeconomic status, and gender with diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with Type I diabetes.