A Look at Diabetic Eye Problems
For those with diabetes, regular ophthalmic exams are essential for monitoring eye health and preventing blindness. Diabetes is the most common cause of blindness among adults between the ages of 20 and 74, but seeing an ophthalmologist regularly makes it possible to discover and treat diabetic eye diseases early.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that represent a degeneration of the optic nerve and vision loss. Glaucoma is often associated with increased levels of pressure inside the eye, but there is a large group of patients who do not have elevated eye pressures but still have glaucoma. Diabetics face a risk of developing glaucoma that is twice that of non-diabetics. While the relationship between diabetes and glaucoma is not well understood, it is possible to help prevent damage to your eyes from glaucoma by undergoing an annual glaucoma screening.
Cataracts
The lens of the eye is normally clear, allowing light to pass through easily. For those with cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy and opaque, leading to vision loss. Cataracts generally develop as people enter their senior years. Having high blood sugar can accelerate damage to the lens, leading to the development of senile cataracts at an early age. The use of steroid medication either orally or topically can also cause cataract formation. Another type of cataract, called a sugar cataract, can occur in anyone with diabetes at any age. However in people in their twenties who are poorly controlled with Type 1 diabetes it can develop rapidly and can lead to a complete loss of vision in 3 days.
Diabetic Retinopathy
The most common eye problem associated with diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy and involves changes to the blood vessels inside the retina. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels inside the retina shut down and block the delivery of nutrients and oxygen. As the shutdown increases and more blood vessels are blocked, new blood vessels are developed inside the retina to try to correct the deficiency. These new blood vessels grow along the surface of the retina and tend to have weak walls, leading to leakages of blood inside the eye which can cause vision loss, and the gel inside the eye can pull on these vessels causing traction retinal detachment. Abnormalities of blood vessels can also cause swelling of the central part of the retina and leakage of lipid both of which can cause vision loss. Good control of blood glucose levels and blood pressure are important in the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.
With regular ophthalmic exams, diabetic eye diseases can be caught early and treated appropriately to significantly decrease the risk of blindness. To schedule an exam for diabetic and other eye diseases, call Weil Eye Care Medical Center in San Carlos today at (650) 226-8461.
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