Diabetes and the Eyes

• Study Finds Relationship between Diabetic Eye Changes and Risk of Amputation 
Researchers from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin and the Singapore Eye Research Institute have discovered a correlation between narrowing of the retinal blood vessels in diabetic patients and the need for lower extremity amputation. Patients in the study who exhibited narrowing retinal blood vessels secondary to diabetes were three times more likely to undergo amputation than those whose retinal vasculature remained normal. (Archives of Internal Medicine, November 2003)

• Indian Ophthalmologists Find Link between Glucose Levels in Tears and Blood Glucose Levels
A study conducted by researchers from the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Kolkata, India have found that the levels of glucose in tears are proportional to those found in blood. This study implies that diabetic patients may some day be able to use their tears as an alternative method of measuring blood sugar. Obtaining tear samples may be less invasive, less expensive and more sanitary than traditional methods of blood glucose testing. (Journal of Association of Physicians of India. August 2003)