title: Retinal complications in diabetes mellitus: importance of screening and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetic retinal complications are the most common cause of reduced visual acuity in persons aged 25 to 75 years. However, vision loss can be prevented or delayed if the changes are seen on time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  By analyzing literature data to create an algorithm for careful follow-up of diabetic patients, which would prevent progression of the changes and development of conditions leading to blindness. At the same time, this paper presents certain changes of the eye fundus and mode of their treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of studies published on diabetic retinopathy and screening conducted in developed countries, with creating an algorithm for follow-up of diabetic retinal changes and their management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Timely detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy with application of protocols in developed countries as well as parallel correction of systemic risk factors for progression of diabetic retinopathy will reduce the possibility of visual impairment in diabetics due to retinal complications. At the same time expenditures related to more complicated and less effective surgical procedures will be reduced along with the societal concern.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Eye Diseases, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, R. Macedonia.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golubovik
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans