DIABETES AND EYES

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause for legal blindness in indus trialized countries. All qualities of vision (visual acuity, color vis ion, visual fields, contrast sensitivity, dark adaptation etc.) are af fected. Loss of pericytes and thickening of the basal lamina of retina l capillaries are the main pathomechanism. Break down of the blood-ret inal-barrier leads to lipid accumulation and hemorrhages. Subsequent c apillary closure may lead to new vessel formation. i.e. proliferative diabetic retinopathy. After 5 years 25% of all diabetics will have som e degree of diabetic retinopathy. After 20 years allmost 20% of type I I diabetics and 50% of type I diabetics will have developed proliferat ive disease. Special considerations have to be given to pregnancy and diabetes as well as to cataract surgery in diabetes. Early diagnosis a nd subsequent treatment (lasercoagulation, kryotherapy or vitrectomy) will prevent blindness. Interdisciplinary cooperation is very importan t.