Introduction

To evaluate the state of eyes in patients with diabetes type 2, and to gain current data about the presence of diabetic retinopathy, cataract, prevalence of particular types of retinopathy and percentage of people treated with laser photocoagulations.

Material and methods

The study included 1300 patients, at the age from 18 to 91 years and treated for diabetes type 2 for the period between 1 and 46 years. The analysis was based on a full ophthalmologic examination.

Results

There was a significant decrease in visual acuity in relation to the duration of diabetes mellitus. In the whole group there were 474 patients (36.46%) without diabetic retinopathy and 826 patients (63.54%), who had diabetic retinopathy. Non-proliferative, simple diabetic retinopathy was present in 605 patients (46.54%), pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was found in 171 patients (13.15%), and proliferative retinopathy in 50 patients (3.85%). The study indicated a significant increase in the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in relation to the duration of diabetes, ranging from 27% in patients with diabetes lasting for about 1 year, to about 94% in patients with diabetes treated for about 30 years. An increase in the percentage of patients requiring laser therapy was also correlated with the duration of diabetes.