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Eye Complications of Diabetes

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Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a well-characterized, sight-threatening, chronic, ocular disorder that eventually develops, to some degree, in nearly all patients with diabetes mellitus. With experienced ophthalmic evaluation, diabetic retinopathy can be detected in its early stages. Existing therapies are remarkably effective at preventing some types of visual loss when administered at the appropriate time in the disease process. In addition, improved systemic glycemic control is associated with a delay in onset and slowing of progression of diabetic retinopathy. Nevertheless, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness, as well as of severe and moderate visual loss among Americans between the ages of 20 and 74 years.

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Acknowledgments

The excellent technical and editorial assistance of Jerry D. Cavallerano, OD, PhD, is gratefully acknowledged. Portions of this chapter are adapted from Aiello et al. [15] and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Diabetes 2000, Diabetic Retinopathy course.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Lloyd Paul Aiello MD, PhD (Professor) & Paolo S. Silva MD (Instructor in Ophthalmology)

  2. Harvard Department of Ophthalmology, Centers of Excellence, Boston, MA, USA

    Lloyd Paul Aiello MD, PhD (Vice Chair)

  3. Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Lloyd Paul Aiello MD, PhD (Medical Director of Ophthalmology)

  4. Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Lloyd Paul Aiello MD, PhD (Section Head, Eye Research; Vice President of Ophthalmology; and Director)

  5. Beetham Eye Institute, Boston, MA, USA

    Lloyd Paul Aiello MD, PhD (Section Head, Eye Research; Vice President of Ophthalmology; and Director)

  6. Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Paolo S. Silva MD (Staff Ophthalmologist and Assistant Chief of Telemedicine)

  7. Department of Ophthalmology, Beetham Eye Institute and Eye Research Section, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Jennifer K. Sun MD, MPH (Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology)

  8. Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Jennifer K. Sun MD, MPH (Assistant Investigator)

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  1. Lloyd Paul Aiello MD, PhD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology,, Diabetes & Metabolism, University of Miami, Miami, 33136, Florida, USA

    Jay Skyler

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Aiello, L.P. et al. (2012). Eye Complications of Diabetes. In: Skyler, J. (eds) Atlas of Diabetes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1028-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1028-7_12

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