Home > Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic Eye Disease
Vision problems are a common complication of diabetes that if not diagnosed and
treated early can cause serious vision loss and even blindness.
In the United States alone, diabetes is the leading cause of
new cases of blindness between the ages of 20 and 74.
How can you prevent the serious conditions and
complications of diabetic eye disease? The first step
is education. You must know the conditions associated
with vision loss, the causes and the treatments. You must know how to take care of
your eyes, much more if you have diabetes. Learning about diabetic eye disease is
the first important step to take care of your vision.
The three major vision problems associated with diabetes are diabetic retinopathy,
cataracts and glaucoma.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the major cause of blindness in diabetics. Almost all people
who have had type 1 diabetes for a long period of time have some kind of diabetic
retinopathy, and those who have type 2 diabetes will most likely develop some
retinopathy over time.
Diabetic retinopathy has to do with the blood vessels in the retina and the way
diabetes affects them. When these blood vessels are damaged, they might leak blood
or fluid, causing vision loss and potentially leading to blindness if the right treatment
is not performed in the early stages of the disease. There are various stages of
diabetic retinopathy.
Non-proliferative Retinopathy
Non-proliferative retinopathy, also known as background retinopathy, is very
common in people who have had diabetes for a long time and most likely will not
damage vision. Background retinopathy occurs when the tiny blood vessels in the
retina, which is made up of delicate tissue and specialized cells that convert light into
images, leak blood or fluid. Although non-proliferative retinopathy won’t damage
vision, it can bring along complications that will, known as macular edema and
macular ischemia.
Macular Edema
The macula is a small area in the center of the retina that gives us sharp, detail
vision. This area can swell up from the leakage of fluid and blood in the retina and
cause central vision loss and some peripheral vision loss.
Macular Ischemia
Macular ischemia causes blurry vision as the blood vessels that feed the macula
close and prevent the cells from getting a sufficient flow of blood.
If left untreated, non-proliferative retinopathy can lead to a more serious stage called
proliferative retinopathy
Proliferative Retinopathy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition that can potentially lead to
blindness. It occurs when abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the
retina, trying to replace those that have been already damaged. These new blood
vessels are weak and bleed easily, also causing the formation of scar tissue in the
eye. The scarring can pull the retina out of position, a condition known as retinal
detachment. Retinal detachment can lead to severe loss of vision and even blindness
without the adequate treatment.
Vitreous hemorrhage is another complication of proliferative retinopathy and it
occurs when the vitreous, the clear substance that fills the inside of the eye is
clouded from the leakage of the blood vessels in the retina. Vision can be
significantly reduced with this condition.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Unfortunately, there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Vision
might not be affected until the disease has progressed to a severe state. It is this
reason why is extremely important to have your vision examined frequently even
before any signs of vision loss. Early detection is the key to prevent blindness.
Have your eyes examined at least once a year. Your eye examination should include
a visual acuity test, pupil dilation, and ophthalmoscopy and a tonometry.
Although diabetic retinopathy cannot be fully prevented, you can do a lot to greatly
reduce the risk. Studies have shown that patients that kept their blood sugar levels
under control significantly reduced damage to their eyes. Keeping a healthy diet, a
healthy weight and not smoking are also key factors to keeping the risk of diabetic
retinopathy at a minimum. Always consult with your doctor before making any diet
or exercise changes.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy treatment involves laser surgery, which can preserve your sight,
but not improve it. That is another important reason why it is vital to detect
retinopathy early. You might need more than one laser surgery to control the
condition. Focal laser treatment is done to seal the leaking vessels and stabilize
vision, while scatter laser treatment is performed to remove the new abnormal
vessels that have grown and prevent them from causing further complications. You
will loose some of your side vision after having scatter laser treatment.
Laser surgery is usually not painful but it can cause discomfort. Before the surgery
the doctor will apply drops to numb the eye and most likely will also numb the area
behind the eye to prevent discomfort.
A vitrectomy is a surgery used to treat vitreous hemorrhage. It involves removing
the clouded vitreous and replacing it with a clear saline solution. Your vision might
be slightly reduced after the surgery.
As you can see, diabetic retinopathy is a very serious condition that could do
extensive damage to your vision. Remember the importance of early detection,
control of your blood sugar levels and regular diet and exercise. If you do this, have
your eyes examined regularly and follow your doctor’s directions, you will greatly
reduce the risk of severe vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy.
Cataracts
Eye cataracts are another complication of diabetic eye disease. Eye cataracts usually
develop as people get older, but they may develop at an earlier age in people with
diabetes. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is responsible for
allowing you to see and focus on an image clearly. In a person with eye cataracts,
their vision becomes blurred and glared, not allowing them to focus light properly.
Surgery is the most common treatment, which involves removal of the cloudy lens
and replacing it with a plastic one. Glasses or contact lenses might still be needed to
correct vision after surgery.
Glaucoma and Diabetes
Glaucoma is another dangerous complication of diabetic eye disease that if not
diagnosed and treated early can lead to optic nerve damage and loss of vision.
Diabetics have twice the risk of getting glaucoma than other adults.
Glaucoma results from a build up of pressure inside the eye due to the fluid filling the
eye not being drained properly. Early detection is important since there might not be
any symptoms until the disease has progressed to a dangerous, advanced state.
Make sure you get a glaucoma screening at least once a year. Glaucoma treatment
could include eye drops, laser surgery or medicine.
Your vision is important, don’t let diabetes damage it. Make sure you do your part in
preventing serious diabetic eye disease conditions that could do irreparable damage to
your eyes. By educating yourself, having your eyes checked regularly and following
your doctor’s directions you will be able to do just that.
Click here to keep learning about diabetic eye disease.
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Vision problems are a common complication of diabetes that if not diagnosed and
treated early can cause serious vision loss and even blindness.
In the United States alone, diabetes is the leading cause of
new cases of blindness between the ages of 20 and 74.
How can you prevent the serious conditions and
complications of diabetic eye disease? The first step
is education. You must know the conditions associated
with vision loss, the causes and the treatments. You must know how to take care of
your eyes, much more if you have diabetes. Learning about diabetic eye disease is
the first important step to take care of your vision.
The three major vision problems associated with diabetes are diabetic retinopathy,
cataracts and glaucoma.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the major cause of blindness in diabetics. Almost all people
who have had type 1 diabetes for a long period of time have some kind of diabetic
retinopathy, and those who have type 2 diabetes will most likely develop some
retinopathy over time.
Diabetic retinopathy has to do with the blood vessels in the retina and the way
diabetes affects them. When these blood vessels are damaged, they might leak blood
or fluid, causing vision loss and potentially leading to blindness if the right treatment
is not performed in the early stages of the disease. There are various stages of
diabetic retinopathy.
Non-proliferative Retinopathy
Non-proliferative retinopathy, also known as background retinopathy, is very
common in people who have had diabetes for a long time and most likely will not
damage vision. Background retinopathy occurs when the tiny blood vessels in the
retina, which is made up of delicate tissue and specialized cells that convert light into
images, leak blood or fluid. Although non-proliferative retinopathy won’t damage
vision, it can bring along complications that will, known as macular edema and
macular ischemia.
Macular Edema
The macula is a small area in the center of the retina that gives us sharp, detail
vision. This area can swell up from the leakage of fluid and blood in the retina and
cause central vision loss and some peripheral vision loss.
Macular Ischemia
Macular ischemia causes blurry vision as the blood vessels that feed the macula
close and prevent the cells from getting a sufficient flow of blood.
If left untreated, non-proliferative retinopathy can lead to a more serious stage called
proliferative retinopathy
Proliferative Retinopathy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition that can potentially lead to
blindness. It occurs when abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the
retina, trying to replace those that have been already damaged. These new blood
vessels are weak and bleed easily, also causing the formation of scar tissue in the
eye. The scarring can pull the retina out of position, a condition known as retinal
detachment. Retinal detachment can lead to severe loss of vision and even blindness
without the adequate treatment.
Vitreous hemorrhage is another complication of proliferative retinopathy and it
occurs when the vitreous, the clear substance that fills the inside of the eye is
clouded from the leakage of the blood vessels in the retina. Vision can be
significantly reduced with this condition.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Unfortunately, there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Vision
might not be affected until the disease has progressed to a severe state. It is this
reason why is extremely important to have your vision examined frequently even
before any signs of vision loss. Early detection is the key to prevent blindness.
Have your eyes examined at least once a year. Your eye examination should include
a visual acuity test, pupil dilation, and ophthalmoscopy and a tonometry.
Although diabetic retinopathy cannot be fully prevented, you can do a lot to greatly
reduce the risk. Studies have shown that patients that kept their blood sugar levels
under control significantly reduced damage to their eyes. Keeping a healthy diet, a
healthy weight and not smoking are also key factors to keeping the risk of diabetic
retinopathy at a minimum. Always consult with your doctor before making any diet
or exercise changes.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy treatment involves laser surgery, which can preserve your sight,
but not improve it. That is another important reason why it is vital to detect
retinopathy early. You might need more than one laser surgery to control the
condition. Focal laser treatment is done to seal the leaking vessels and stabilize
vision, while scatter laser treatment is performed to remove the new abnormal
vessels that have grown and prevent them from causing further complications. You
will loose some of your side vision after having scatter laser treatment.
Laser surgery is usually not painful but it can cause discomfort. Before the surgery
the doctor will apply drops to numb the eye and most likely will also numb the area
behind the eye to prevent discomfort.
A vitrectomy is a surgery used to treat vitreous hemorrhage. It involves removing
the clouded vitreous and replacing it with a clear saline solution. Your vision might
be slightly reduced after the surgery.
As you can see, diabetic retinopathy is a very serious condition that could do
extensive damage to your vision. Remember the importance of early detection,
control of your blood sugar levels and regular diet and exercise. If you do this, have
your eyes examined regularly and follow your doctor’s directions, you will greatly
reduce the risk of severe vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy.
Cataracts
Eye cataracts are another complication of diabetic eye disease. Eye cataracts usually
develop as people get older, but they may develop at an earlier age in people with
diabetes. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is responsible for
allowing you to see and focus on an image clearly. In a person with eye cataracts,
their vision becomes blurred and glared, not allowing them to focus light properly.
Surgery is the most common treatment, which involves removal of the cloudy lens
and replacing it with a plastic one. Glasses or contact lenses might still be needed to
correct vision after surgery.
Glaucoma and Diabetes
Glaucoma is another dangerous complication of diabetic eye disease that if not
diagnosed and treated early can lead to optic nerve damage and loss of vision.
Diabetics have twice the risk of getting glaucoma than other adults.
Glaucoma results from a build up of pressure inside the eye due to the fluid filling the
eye not being drained properly. Early detection is important since there might not be
any symptoms until the disease has progressed to a dangerous, advanced state.
Make sure you get a glaucoma screening at least once a year. Glaucoma treatment
could include eye drops, laser surgery or medicine.
Your vision is important, don’t let diabetes damage it. Make sure you do your part in
preventing serious diabetic eye disease conditions that could do irreparable damage to
your eyes. By educating yourself, having your eyes checked regularly and following
your doctor’s directions you will be able to do just that.
Click here to keep learning about diabetic eye disease.
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