How do systemic diseases affect the eye?
Various systemic diseases affect the eye differently. Diabetes can cause severe eye complications, including swelling of the retina (macular edema), abnormal growth of new retinal blood vessels and bleeding inside the eye. Changes in the blood vessels of the retina or fluctuations in vision sometimes lead to the first diagnosis of diabet4s. Diabetic retinal disease is a leading cause of blindness in this country. (For more information on “Diabetic Retinopathy”, see February/March 1988 Eye Facts.) In addition, people with diabetes develop cataracts earlier than other people. Therefore, it is important for them to have regular eye exams. AIDS can cause infections in the eye, retinal detachment, eyelid tumors and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. AIDS-related infections can often lead to blindness, but effective eye treatment is now available. Abnormal retinal circulation is another frequent complication of AIDS. Sometimes, the first signs of AIDS are abnormalities in the retina. (See March/Apr
