Aims/ Objectives: To determine the pattern of diabetic eye disease and their effect on the vision of diabetic patients in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at the Endocrinology and Ophthalmology clinics of the UBTH, Benin City from April to November 2015. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain and record data which included bio-data, medical history, laboratory investigations and findings on general and ophthalmic examination. Laboratory investigations such as fasting lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin were done. Results: A total of 215 diabetic patients, 139 females and 76 males were recruited into the study. The peak age group was the > 60 years age group.The mean age was 60.0 (± 11.5) years and range was 22-86 years. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.1 (± 7.2) years, median was 7.5 years and range was 1 month to 41 years. There were 208 (96.7%) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 65 (32.2%) patients were bilaterally visually impaired. A total of 151(70.2%) had ocular diseases while 109 (50.7%) had diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy was seen in 83 eyes of 46 (21.4%). Diabetic macula oedema was seen in 29 eyes of 17 (7.9%) patients and coexisting with other types of diabetic retinopathy in 10 patients in 17 eyes of 10 (4.7%). Potentially blinding retinal conditions from diabetes included diabetic retinopathy in 83 eyes of 46 (21.4%) patients, diabetic macula oedema 29 eyes of 17 (7.9%) and central retinal vein occlusion in 2 eyes of 2 (0.1%) patients. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is an important cause of ocular morbidity. There is a need to educate diabetics on the benefits of early and regular ocular screening.