UCB Diabetes Study

Diabetes and Vision

Do you or does someone you know have diabetes? With millions of people in the U.S. diagnosed with the disease, the most likely answer is "yes". Diabetes is a serious metabolic condition which can affect a number of vital organs and systems in your body. While many people are familiar with the increased risk of heart disease in diabetics, the impact it has on vision is sometimes overlooked.

How does diabetes contribute to vision loss?

An example of a healthy eye's retina.

An example of a retina damaged by diabetes.
[source: CIBA pamphlet, 1988]

High blood glucose levels, due to diabetes, can weaken the small blood vessels at the back of the eye. This causes the vessels to leak blood into the retina (the cell layer which collects signals for vision). After a period of time the retina may begin to swell and deposits may form at the back of the eye, killing cells and eventually resulting in vision loss. The vessels may sometimes leak blood directly into the clear fluid of the eye, which results in blurred vision and ocular cell damage.

The images to the right show the difference between a healthy retina and a diabetic retina.

Vision loss due to retinopathy (retinal cell death) is permanent. However, if it is detected early enough a number of treatments can be used to slow or limit the loss of vision. We are working to develop a new method for detecting early diabetic eye damage in order to help patients maintain their sight.

If you would like more information on diabetes, we have provided a few links below.

Links to other diabetes organizations

Diabetes organizations for youth

UCB Diabetes Study

University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry