Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems that can affect people with diabetes. It develops as a result of high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes. While many eye diseases are associated with diabetes, the most common ones are:

1. Diabetic retinopathy: This is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults with diabetes. It affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. High blood sugar can cause these vessels to leak, swell, or grow abnormally, disrupting blood flow and eventually leading to vision loss

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy:

• Blurry vision
• Floaters and spots in your vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Sudden vision loss (in severe cases)

2. Diabetic macular edema (DME): This occurs when fluid leaks from damaged blood vessels in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This fluid accumulation causes the macula to swell, leading to blurred vision and distorted images.

Symptoms of diabetic macular edema:

• Blurry or wavy central vision
• Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
• Straight lines appearing wavy

3. Cataracts: People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing cataracts earlier than those without the condition. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside the eye, causing blurry vision and faded colors.

Symptoms of cataracts:

• Blurred vision
• Cloudy or hazy vision
• Fading colors
• Sensitivity to glare
• Difficulty seeing at night

Risk factors for diabetic eye disease:

• Duration of diabetes: The longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk.
• Poor blood sugar control: Consistently high blood sugar levels significantly increase the risk.
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking

How is diabetic eye disease diagnosed?

Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for early detection and intervention. These exams typically include:

• Visual acuity test
• Slit-lamp examination
• Dilated retinal examination
• Fluorescein angiography (in some cases)

Treatment for diabetic eye disease:

Early diagnosis and management of diabetes itself are critical for preventing and slowing the progression of eye problems. Depending on the specific condition and its severity, treatment options may include:

• Laser therapy to seal leaking blood vessels or shrink abnormal ones.
• Anti-VEGF injections to prevent fluid buildup in the macula.
• Cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens and restore vision.