Diabetes and Eye Disease
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of diabetic eye disease, but further complications such as cataracts and glaucoma also affect diabetics. Diabetic eye disease is a term that encompasses a range of eye problems which may affect diabetics. At their most extreme, each of these conditions can cause loss of vision and even blindness. It is worth remembering that all people suffering from diabetes should have a dilated eye examination at least once every year.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when changes in blood glucose levels cause changes in retinal blood vessels. In some cases, these vessels will swell up (macular oedema) and leak fluid into the rear of the eye. In other cases, abnormal blood vessels will grow on the surface of the retina. These changes, over time, may result in the loss of vision and blindness.
What symptoms are associated with diabetic retinopathy?
Like many conditions of this nature, the early stages of diabetic retinopathy may occur without symptoms and without pain. An actual influence on the vision will not occur until the disease advances. Macular Oedema occurs when leaking fluid caused the macular to swell. New vessels on the retina can prompt bleeding, and hence block the vision.
Am I at risk from diabetic retinopathy?
Anyone suffering from diabetes risks developing diabetic retinopathy. Like most diabetes complications, the longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risks become.
Are there any ways to prevent diabetic retinopathy?
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy can be lessened through taking the following precautions:
- Taking a dilated eye examination once a year
- Managing diabetes strictly through medicine, insulin, diet and exercise
- Test for blood sugar levels regularly
- Test urine for ketone levels regularly
Can diabetic retinopathy be treated?
Laser surgery is often used in the treatment of diabetic eye diseases.
What other diabetes related eye conditions exist?
Other diabetes-related eye diseases include cataracts (diabetics are twice as likely as normal people to develop cataracts), and glaucoma (diabetics are also twice as likely to develop glaucoma.) Both conditions are usually treated with surgery when they reach advanced stages.
