Description
The role of the optometrist in the care of patients with diabetes is primarily the recognition and monitoring of diabetic eye disease. However, it is very important for the optometrist to have a general knowledge of the major features of diabetes. It is not unlikely, that initial symptoms may be presented in the case history prior to a general eye exam, or the discovery of retinal changes may be the precipitating factor in diabetes diagnosis. This paper will examine the definition, presentation, progress, and treatment of diabetes mellitus. It will provide a guide for the Optometrist in management of these patients, especially those with ocular disease, and it will present the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among a small population of diabetics seen at the Battle Creek Veterans Medical Center.
