Ocular Complications of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a complex metabolic disease involving multiple organ systems which may cause severe visual impairment. Almost all parts of the eye may be affected including: the extra-ocular muscles, intra-ocular lens, the optic nerve, and retina. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness between the ages of 20 and 74 in many developed countries (Cheung et al., 2010; Powers, 2008). Individuals with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become legally blind than individuals without diabetes. Blindness is primarily the result of diabetic retinopathy that accounts for 1⁄4 of blind registrations in the western world (Cheung et al., 2010; Powers, 2008). Prevention of severe visual impairment in type 1 diabetes includes: optimal glycemic control, the treatment of ancillary risk factors such as hypertension, regular ophthalmic screening, and early diagnosis and treatment of ocular complications. In the following chapter we will describe the ocular complications of diabetes and the treatments for these conditions.