THE IMPACT OF DIABETES ON OCULAR HEALTH: MECHANISMS, COMPLICATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT

*Harith Muhamed Ali Abd. Khalek, Rana Mohammed Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health issue with profound impacts on ocular health, often leading to visual impairment and blindness. This study examines the prevalence, severity, and spectrum of ocular complications in individuals with diabetes, focusing on underlying mechanisms such as microvascular dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Methods: A narrative research design was employed, analyzing retrospective clinical and ophthalmic data from 200 adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Inclusion criteria required a confirmed diabetes diagnosis and comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. Data on demographic characteristics, diabetes duration, glycemic control, and ocular findings were collected. Ocular complications were assessed using standardized criteria, and associations between systemic factors and ocular outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and comparative methods. Results: The study found a high burden of ocular complications, with diabetic retinopathy being the most prevalent (52.0%), followed by cataract (44.0%) and diabetic macular edema (23.0%). Longer diabetes duration and poor glycemic control were strongly associated with increased ocular involvement. Among participants with retinopathy, moderate non-proliferative disease was most common (42.3%), but advanced stages were present in 21.2% of cases. Only 24.0% of participants had no detectable ocular complications. Conclusion: Diabetes significantly impacts ocular health, with a high prevalence of vision-threatening complications linked to disease duration and metabolic control. These findings underscore the importance of early screening, strict glycemic management, and integrated ophthalmic care to prevent vision loss in diabetic patients.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, ocular complications, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, diabetic macular edema, glycemic control, microvascular dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, ophthalmic screening.