Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the body’s organs.
Possible long-term effects include damage to large (macrovascular) and small (microvascular) blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and problems with the kidneys, eyes, gums, feet, and nerves.
Diabetes-related eye problems include:
Retinopathy – Retinopathy is when blood vessels in the retina become damaged which eventually affects your vision.
Retinopathy has various stages. In its early stages, there are usually no symptoms, so having a full diabetes eye check is essential to detect it early.
Regular eye checks help detect any changes and allow for early treatment that were needed to prevent further damage.
Macular oedema – The macula is part of the retina and helps you to see things clearly. Swelling of this area can happen when the blood vessels in the retina are damaged, causing fluid to build up.
This can lead to the macula being damaged and vision may become blurry. Treatment is available. Early detection is important.
Cataracts – The lens of the eye becomes cloudy and can cause vision to become cloudy, distorted, or sensitive to glare. People with diabetes can develop cataracts at an earlier age than usual.
Glaucoma – The pressure of the fluid within the eye builds up to a higher level than is healthy. This pressure can damage the eye over time.
Glaucoma occurs in people with and without diabetes but is more common in people with diabetes.
While most people who have damage to the eyes have no symptoms in the earlier stages, there are certain symptoms that may occur and these need urgent review.
If you have flashes of light, floaters, blots, and dots, or part of your vision missing, see your doctor immediately.
Regular eye checks
Everyone with diabetes should have a professional eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist when they are first diagnosed, and then at least every two years after that (children usually start this screening five years after diagnosis or at puberty).
It is important that you inform the person checking your eyes that you have diabetes.
If retinopathy or another abnormality is found, eye tests will be required every year, or more frequently if advised by your ophthalmologist.
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If you care about diabetes, please read studies about worst vegetables for people with diabetes, and 5 dangerous signs you have diabetes-related eye disease.
For more information about eye health, please see recent studies about how to protect your eyes from diabetes, and results showing that vitamin B3 may help treat common blinding eye disease.
For more information about eyes and diabetes, check this video:
