Diabetic Eye Disease

What should you know about Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye diseases refer to a group of eye conditions that diabetics may encounter during their lifetime. Of the 16 million people with diabetes in the United States, nearly half will develop some degree of diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma are three types of diabetic eye diseases that can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Damage to the eye can occur slowly and may be hard to detect without regular and accurate monitoring, so people with diabetes are urged to schedule annual eye exams.

Diabetic Eye Disease includes:

Diabetic Retinopathy - caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina

Cataracts - caused by clouding of the eye's lens

Glaucoma - caused by an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among Americans between the ages of 25 and 70. As the blood vessels that nourish the retina begin to deteriorate, they have a tendency to leak fluid or blood, develop brush-like branches, or get larger. People who have had diabetes for a long time, or have Type I diabetes, have a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. If patients with diabetic retinopathy are treated properly before the retina is severely damaged, they have an excellent chance of stabilizing the disease and saving their vision.

Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. As the cataract develops, the cloudiness no longer allows the lens to properly focus light on the back of the eye. This unfocused light causes the vision to look blurry or hazy. Cataracts can also cause light sensitivity, glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, and fading or yellowing of colors. Modern surgical techniques and intraocular lens implantation may effectively treat cataracts.

Glaucoma is an eye condition caused by increased pressure in the eye that can destroy the sensitive nerve fibers responsible for vision. Glaucomacan cause permanent and serious vision impairment before you are even aware of the change. Glaucoma is most common in people who are diabetic or who have a family history of the disease, so annual exams are important for early detection. Glaucoma may be treated with medicaltions, laser, or other forms of surgery.

Questions about Diabetic Eye Disease
Can diabetic retinopathy be treated?

Laser surgery and appropriate follow-up care can reduce the risk of blindness by 90 percent. However, laser surgery often cannot restore vision that has already been lost. Detecting this disease early is the best precaution to save your vision.

Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) proved that better control of blood-sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy. The study found that the group that tried to keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible also had much less kidney and nerve disease.

How common are diabetic eye diseases?

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma and cataracts than those without, and around 80% of diabetes patients will develop some level of retinopathy. Cataracts typically develop at an earlier age in diabetics, and the longer you have had diabetes, the greater your risk of getting glaucoma and retinopathy.

What can I do to protect my vision?

Often there are no warning signs or symptoms for diabetic eye disease. However, finding and treating diabetic eye disease early, before it causes vision loss or blindness, is the best way to protect your vision. Regular eye exams, good medical management of blood sugar and blood pressure, along with timely treatment can significantly reduce your risks.

If you have diabetes, take these steps to minimize your risk for developing diabetic eye disease:

• Monitor your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers carefully

• Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

• Schedule annual eye exams

• Monitor your blood sugar daily

• Reach and stay at a healthy weight

• Exercise regularly

• Refrain from smoking

This article about Diabetic Eye Disease has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.