Dr. Ahmed Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects the body’s blood sugar control and can have serious effects on your eyesight.
When high blood sugar levels continue for a long period, they can damage the blood vessels in the retina, the sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye.
This harm to the blood vessels is referred to as diabetic retinopathy which can also lead to complete blindness
How Diabetes Leads to Vision Loss?
When blood sugar levels stay high for an extended period, it can harm the blood vessels in your body, including the one in your retina. This causes the vessels to become broken easily, leading to problems such as:
- Microaneurysms:
Small, swollen spots in the blood vessels can burst and spill fluid into the retina.
- Hemorrhages:
Bleeding that happens inside the retina.
- Exudates:
Unwanted deposits of protein and fat.
- Retinal damage:
If left untreated, this damage can cause the macula to swell, the part of the retina that helps us see clearly. This swelling is called muscular edema.
- Vision loss:
As the retinal damage gets worse, you might notice things look blurry and string floating in your vision, and eventually, you could lose your eyesight.
All these changes are collectively termed “Diabetic Retinopathy“
Eye Complications Associated with Diabetes
There are many kinds of eye problems associated with diabetes, such as:
1. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye complication caused by diabetes. This condition happens when high sugar levels harm the tiny blood vessels in the retina, making them leaky and puffy. Gradually, this damage can result in loss of vision.
- Non-proliferative retinopathy: In this beginning stage, the blood vessels in the retina start to show signs of damage, with tiny bulges (microaneurysms) and bleeding spots (hemorrhage) appearing.
- Proliferative retinopathy: In this later stage, abnormal new blood vessels form on the retina, causing bleeding, scarring, and damage to vision.
2. Diabetic Macular Edema
This condition occurs when fluid gathers in the macula. As a result, the macula swells, causing blurry vision and making it hard to read.
3. Cataracts
Cloudy areas that form in the lens of the eye, known as cataracts, affect vision and sensitivity to light. Individuals with diabetes can cause cataracts to develop at a younger age compared to those without diabetes.
4. Glaucoma
A condition where increased pressure inside the eye can harm the optic nerve. Diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma, particularly for those who have had the condition for many years.
5. Dry Eye
Dry eyes are a condition in which the eyes can’t produce enough tears, or the tears dry out too fast, causing discomfort or irritation. Diabetes can increase the likelihood of developing dry eyes.
How to Prevent Diabetic Eye Problems?
For people with diabetes, regular eye exams are a must. Doctors usually recommend annual dilated eye exams to identify issues before they become serious. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy.
Adopting good diabetes management habits can significantly lower the risk of diabetic eye problems. Key strategies include:
- Maintaining control of your sugar level:
Manage your blood sugar by doing what your doctor says about diet, exercise, and taking medicine.
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol:
By controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol, you can lower the risk of diabetic eye problems.
- Quitting smoking:
Stop smoking to lower the risk of worsening diabetic eye damage.
Diagnosing Diabetic Eye Diseases
Finding early eye problems is essential to prevent vision loss. People with diabetes need regular eye exams, no matter their age or how long they have had diabetes.
This helps detect issues before they become serious. Here’s what happens during the diagnosis process:
1. Comprehensive Eye Exam:
- Dilated eye exam:
This is the key part of the exam. Your eye doctor will use eye drops to make your pupils dilate. This helps them to see more clearly at the back of your eye, including the retina.
- Visual Acuity Test:
This test checks your ability to see things clearly at various distances, from close up to far away.
- Color Vision Test:
This test checks whether you can see colors correctly or have trouble with different colors.
- Glaucoma Screening:
This involves a test to measure the pressure inside your eyes and detect any potential glaucoma issue.
- Retinal Imaging:
This test uses a specialized camera to photograph your retina, providing a clear view of your eye’s health.
2. Fluorescein Angiography:
A special test where a dye is injected into your bloodstream, and a camera takes a picture of your retina. The dye makes it easier to see any abnormal blood vessels or leakage.
3. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT):
This non-surgical test uses waves to create a detailed image of your retina, including the macula. It helps your doctor diagnose and monitor eye conditions like diabetic macular edema.
4. Fundus Photography:
A specialized camera takes pictures of your retina to monitor your eye health and compare them over time to detect any changes or abnormalities.
How to Slow the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy can be effectively managed with various treatments that help slow down its progression. They may include:
- Laser surgery:
Laser light is used to close off or reduce abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
- Anti-VEGF injections:
This treatment helps reduce swelling in the retina.
- Vitrectomy:
A surgical procedure that removes blood, scar tissue, and excess fluid from the retina.
When to See an Eye Doctor?
People with diabetes should get their eyes checked every year, even if they haven’t noticed anything wrong. If you experience any changes in your vision, like blurry vision, floaters, or flashes of light, see an eye doctor right away!
It is important to find and treat diabetic eye disease early on to prevent vision loss. You can do it by working with your healthcare provider and having regular eye exams. This will help you keep your vision and maintain a healthy life.
