Ocular manifestations of diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus afflicts approximately 14 to 15 million Americans and is a leading cause of new blindness in the United States. Since eye disease represents an end-organ response to a generalized medical condition, all structures of the eye are susceptible. Furthermore, diabetes produces multiple effects on visual function and visual acuity that require specific clinical consideration. This paper offers a review of some of the key ocular manifestations of diabetes mellitus.