The composition for treating ocular effects of diabetes is a composition that contains an aldose reductase inhibitor in an ophthalmic gel for topical application to the eye. The composition includes a carrier having, by weight, about 0.4% carbomer, 4.0% sorbitol, 0.01% centrimide, 0.01% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and effective amounts of sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide for adjusting the pH of the topical carrier to about 7 and to achieve a desired viscosity, with the balance being water. The aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) is mixed with the topical carrier at about 0.1%-6% by weight of the composition to form an ophthalmic gel. Preferably, the ARI is 2R,4S-6-fluoro-2-methyl-spiro[chroman-4,4-imidazolidine]-2,5-dione, referred to as 2-methyl sorbinil, having the structure:(Chemical formula I should be inserted here) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In use, the ophthalmic gel is preferably applied as an eye drop at a dosage of one drop per eye administered two to three times daily.
