Diabetes, one of the most challenging health conditions that continue to be a major concern, doesn’t just affect our overall health but has a serious impact on our eyes as well. With significant risk of triggering diabetic eye disorders, diabetes, if not managed properly, can lead to significant vision loss or absolute blindness.
Highlighting major causes of diabetic eye problems as well as the symptoms to watch out for, this article focuses on effective prevention and treatment of diabetic eye disorders to help you take the right call on when to consult an expert Ophthalmologist.
It is important for diabetic patients to undergo regular annual eye check ups to diagnose any signs of diabetic problems in the eye at an early stage thus enabling early treatment and good results.
What are the major eye problems caused by diabetes?
Diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, progression of cataract and glaucoma are some of the major eye problems caused by diabetes. These can lead to vision loss and even blindness if not diagnosed and treated on time.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Having become a leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults, Diabetic Retinopathy remains a critical condition in which high blood sugar level causes damage to small blood vessels in the retina, causing leakage of fluid into the retina and resulting in loss of vision. Classified based on the nature of the condition, Early or Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, and Advanced or Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy are the two types of Diabetic Retinopathy.
Some of the major symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy you should be concerned about:
- Blurred vision
- Dark spots in the vision
- Color defects in vision
- Complete vision loss
- Dark threads or spots floating (floaters) in front of vision
What are the best treatment options for Diabetic Retinopathy?
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy has the following options:
- Keeping blood glucose levels under control
- Laser treatment or photocoagulation
- Injections of medications into the eye (antiVEGF or steroid medications)
- Vitrectomy surgery in more advanced cases to prevent or reduce vision loss
What is the link between Glaucoma and Diabetes?
Yet another common eye condition that puts diabetic patients at greater risk of peripheral vision loss and even complete blindness, Glaucoma refers to the damage to optic nerve due to increased pressure within the eye. Making patients even more prone to complications and vision problems, diabetes is considered as one of the major factors for advanced Glaucoma.
Key symptoms to watch out for diabetes-related Glaucoma
- Eye pain
- Red eyes
- Nausea
- Halos around lights
- Loss of peripheral vision
What are the treatment options for Glaucoma?
- Anti-glaucoma medication (eye drops and tablets)
- Laser procedures like iridotomy
- Trabeculectomy surgery
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
- Cyclophotocoagulation
Does Diabetes Cause Cataracts?
A common eye problem in patients with diabetes, cataracts remain one of the biggest factors behind the damaging impact on eye lens as they get cloudy or foggy, resulting in blurry or hazy vision. Making patients more likely by two to five times of developing it, diabetes leads to even greater risk for Cataracts even at an earlier age with rapid progression.
Main symptoms of diabetes-induced Cataracts
- Cloudy vision
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Halos around lights
What are the treatment options for Cataracts?
- Keeping the blood sugar and blood glucose levels under control in diabetic patients can prevent or slow down the progression of cataracts.
- Cataract surgery is done to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial lens to restore clear vision.
What is Diabetes-Related Macular Edema?
Diabetes-Related Macular Edema, is caused due to damaged vessels leaking fluid into the macula (central part of the retina), causing it to swell that primarily leads to distorted and blurred vision.
Key symptoms for Diabetic Macular Edema are:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Dark spots
- Difficulty seeing colors
- Difficulty seeing in bright light
- Distorted or wavy lines are seen
Treatment of macular edema has the following options:
- Keeping the blood sugar levels under control
- Anti-VEGF injections
- Retinal Laser
How to prevent diabetic eye disease?
Controlling blood sugar levels can go a long way in preventing and managing diabetic eye disease.
Here are some of the ways diabetic patients can prevent major eye complications from diabetes:
Controlling diabetes – Timely and calculated management of diabetes by keeping blood sugar levels within the ideal range is the only best way to prevent such eye disorders and complications. By taking a balanced diet, being consistent with exercise, monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and taking the right prescribed medications, patients with diabetes can effectively protect their eyes from serious problems.
Being regular with eye-checkups – As diabetes triggers a range of eye-related complications, regular eye-checkups can help detect early signs of diabetic eye disease and can help patients and the eye specialist to effectively take immediate measures for better treatment.
Manage blood pressure and cholesterol – High blood pressure and cholesterol levels can worsen diabetic eye disease and timely and frequent management by being conscious of your food intake as well as blood pressure can help prevent aggravation of critical eye problems.
Choose healthier living – Maintaining ideal weight, having a balanced nutritious diet comprising fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and staying physically active ultimately help to manage diabetes and protect your eyes.
The Takeaway
As diabetes leads to rapid progression of eye diseases like cataract and glaucoma, it is necessary to control the blood sugar levels strictly. The treatment for diabetic eye problems depends on the type of condition and the extent of damage caused by it.
Diabetic patients must remain consistent with regular eye checkups for identification and timely retina treatment in case of any signs related to Diabetic Retinopathy, or treatment for Glaucoma or Cataract.
As proper management of diabetes coupled with timely eye checkups are the key to prevention of diabetic eye diseases, Ojas Eye Hospital provides expert timely diagnosis and treatment for diabetic eye diseases for effective management and control.