Approximately 75% of patients with juvenile diabetes develop which condition within 20 years after onset?

• A. Presbyopia
• B. Hordeolum
• C. Diabetic retinopathy
• D. Corneal ulcer

Answer: (C)

Long-term eye health in juvenile type 1 diabetes is closely tied to blood sugar control, because chronic hyperglycemia damages the tiny vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common complication, and about 75% of patients develop some degree of retinopathy within about twenty years of onset. Regular dilated eye exams are important because early stages may not cause symptoms, and maintaining good glycemic control helps reduce risk and progression. The other options don’t align with what typically happens in juvenile diabetes: presbyopia is an age-related near-vision change, a hordeolum is an eyelid infection, and a corneal ulcer is a corneal surface injury or infection.