Illustration of eye with glowing veins

Diabetes and Your Eyes: How Early Changes Can Be Detected

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on the initial structural and molecular changes in the retina and lens due to diabetes, paving the way for earlier detection and intervention."

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss globally, impacting working-aged adults. For years, scientists have known that diabetes can cause changes in the eyes, but understanding when and how these changes begin is critical for prevention. Recent research is providing new clues.

A study published in Laboratory Animal Research investigates the early effects of diabetes on the structure and composition of the retina and crystalline lens. By comparing diabetic and non-diabetic pigs, researchers uncovered key changes at the cellular level.

This article will break down these findings, explaining what they mean for understanding and potentially managing diabetes-related eye issues. We'll explore the specific structural and molecular changes observed, offering insights into early detection and proactive care.

What Happens to Your Eyes in Early Diabetes?

The study focused on specific changes in the retina and lens of pigs with induced diabetes. Researchers compared these animals to a control group to identify differences. The primary method involved inducing diabetes in pigs using streptozotocin and then examining their eyes under various tests, including microscopy and Western blotting to assess protein expression.

Here’s a summary of the key structural and molecular changes observed in the study:

Structural Abnormalities: The inner plexiform layer of the retina, which is responsible for transmitting signals between neurons, showed structural issues in diabetic pigs.
Cell Count Reduction: There was a notable decrease in the number of nuclei (the control centers of cells) in the ganglion cell layer, which is crucial for transmitting visual information to the brain.
Increased BMP2 Expression: Diabetic retinas exhibited an overall increase in Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2), a protein involved in various processes, including eye development, and inflammation. Increased BMP2 expression was found in the inner segment of photoreceptor and retinal blood vessels.

These changes indicate that diabetes triggers specific alterations in the eye's cellular structure and protein expression even in the early stages of the disease.

Why These Findings Matter

This study highlights that diabetes initiates changes in the eyes much earlier than previously thought. The identification of structural abnormalities and increased BMP2 expression could serve as early markers for diabetic retinopathy.

By understanding these early changes, there's potential for developing more proactive strategies for managing and preventing vision loss in individuals with diabetes. The findings suggest that monitoring BMP2 levels and retinal structure could be useful in early detection.

While this research provides valuable insights, further studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between BMP2 and VEGF and to explore the potential for targeted interventions. It's also important to note the small sample size and possible effects of intravenous Streptozotocin injection in the study.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5625/lar.2017.33.3.216, Alternate LINK

Title: Early Changes In Retinal Structure And Bmp2 Expression In The Retina And Crystalline Lens Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Pigs

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Laboratory Animal Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Jae Seung Jeong, Woon-Kyu Lee, Yeon Sung Moon, Na Rae Kim

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What specific changes occur in the eyes during the early stages of diabetes, according to recent research?

Early diabetes can lead to structural abnormalities in the inner plexiform layer of the retina, which is vital for signal transmission between neurons. There is also a reduction in the number of nuclei in the ganglion cell layer, which is essential for transmitting visual information to the brain. Additionally, increased expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) is observed in the inner segment of photoreceptor and retinal blood vessels, which plays a role in eye development and inflammation.

How did the researchers induce and assess changes in the eyes of the test subjects?

The study used streptozotocin to induce diabetes in pigs and then examined their eyes using microscopy and Western blotting. These methods allowed them to assess protein expression and identify structural differences in the retinas and crystalline lenses of diabetic versus non-diabetic pigs. Microscopy enabled detailed examination of cellular structures, while Western blotting helped quantify the levels of specific proteins like Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2).

What aspects of diabetic retinopathy were not covered in this study focusing on the early changes?

The study's focus on early changes means that the specific vascular changes seen in advanced diabetic retinopathy, such as neovascularization or macular edema, were not directly examined. Future research could investigate how the early structural and molecular changes identified, like abnormalities in the inner plexiform layer and increased Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) expression, progress to these later-stage complications.

Why is the increase in Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) expression significant in the context of early diabetic eye changes?

The increase in Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) expression in the retina is significant because it is a protein involved in eye development and inflammation. Elevated BMP2 expression in the inner segment of photoreceptor and retinal blood vessels suggests it may play a role in the early pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Understanding how BMP2 contributes to these changes could lead to targeted therapies to prevent or slow the progression of the disease. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the role of BMP2 in diabetic eye disease.

How could the findings regarding structural abnormalities and increased BMP2 expression be used to improve the management of diabetic retinopathy?

The observed structural abnormalities in the inner plexiform layer, the reduction in cell count in the ganglion cell layer, and the increased expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) could potentially serve as early markers for diabetic retinopathy. Detecting these changes early could allow for earlier intervention and management of the disease, potentially preventing or delaying vision loss. Regular eye exams and advanced imaging techniques could be used to monitor these markers in individuals with diabetes.