Ocular Complications of Diabetes and Therapeutic Approaches

Biomed Res Int. 2016:2016:3801570. doi: 10.1155/2016/3801570. Epub 2016 Mar 28.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease defined by elevated blood glucose (BG). DM is a global epidemic and the prevalence is anticipated to continue to increase. The ocular complications of DM negatively impact the quality of life and carry an extremely high economic burden. While systemic control of BG can slow the ocular complications they cannot stop them, especially if clinical symptoms are already present. With the advances in biodegradable polymers, implantable ocular devices can slowly release medication to stop, and in some cases reverse, diabetic complications in the eye. In this review we discuss the ocular complications associated with DM, the treatments available with a focus on localized treatments, and what promising treatments are on the horizon.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Complications / pathology
  • Diabetes Complications / therapy*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / pathology*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / therapy
  • Eye / pathology
  • Glaucoma / etiology
  • Glaucoma / pathology*
  • Glaucoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Macular Edema / etiology
  • Macular Edema / pathology*
  • Macular Edema / therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin