The stimulus for new vessel formation is lack of oxygen. These new vessels affect vision and cause traction on the retina and subsequent retinal detachment. Some loss of peripheral vision may occur. Renal disease due to diabetes is a leading cause of mortality. The minute blood vessels undergo thickening and deposition of albumin and globulin material occurs.
Atherosclerosis is rapid in the diabetic kidney.
The cells of the kidneys shrink due to loss of blood supply, resulting in an ischaemic shrunken kidney. There is loss of albumin in the urine to the extent of more than 30 mg to 300 mg per day. Recurrent kidney infections are also common. There is no specific therapy for diabetic renal disease. Renal transplantation offers a solution if renal failure occurs, but there may be other associated complications that may offer poor results.