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Can Diabetes affect Eyesight? - YES
- High blood-sugar levels damages the blood vessels in the retina, and is referred to as diabetic retinopathy ( REH-tih-NOP-uh-thee).
- A cataract (KA-ter-act) is a cloudiness of the crystal clear lens of the eye.The lens focuses light onto the retina. A cataract makes everything to look One needs surgery to remove the cataract if it is obstructing the vision resulting in handicap and replaced by an artificial lens that helps you see clearly again.
- Glaucoma (glaw-KOH-muh) starts usually due to pressure building up in the eye. Over time, this pressure damages the eye’s main nerve-the optic nerve which can be diagnosed by clinical examination. The damage first causes you to lose sight from the sides of your eyes. Treating glaucoma is usually simple. Special drops can be given to use everyday to lower the eye pressure or laser surgery may need to be done.
- Diabetes may also lead to frequent fluctuations in vision and change in glasses power, temporary paralysis of eye muscles and thus, double vision.
- Styes and other lid infections are more common and may be required more than once along with laser or surgery.
What is the Laser treatment?
Laser is a highly concentrated light that is beamed onto the retina to treat the desired area. It is a painless OPD procedure that does not require hospitalization. It may require more than one sitting to complete the treatment. Laser treatment is done to prevent or retard further damage and loss of vision and is not aimed at improving the vision.
What Surgery is done for Diabetic retinopathy?
In advanced stages of the disease, the eye doctor may recommend a procedure called vitrectomy. During this microsurgical procedure, which is performed in the operating room, the blood-filled vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear substitute and damaged area is treated by endolaser.
What can I do to prevent Diabetic complications?
- People with diabetes should schedule examinations at- least once a year. More frequent medical eye examinations may be necessary after the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is established.
- Pregnant women with diabetes should schedule an
- appointment in the first trimester because retinopathy can progress quickly during pregnancy.
- Proper assessment for requirement of glasses needs a stable control of blood sugar.
- One should have the eyes checked promptly if visual symptoms occur.
- Persons with family history of diabetes/diabetic retinopathy should have more frequent eye check-up.
- Do not smoke or take tobacco in any form.
- Keep blood sugar and blood pressure under control.
- A clinical color photograph of the retina may be done by the ophthalmologist for follow-up
What happens, as retina problems due to Diabetes get worse?
Initially small vessels of the retina are affected and leakage of fluid and blood occurs in the retina causing swelling (macular edema) and tiny hemorrhages (Retinopathy) leading to decreased vision. Later on, new blood vessels tend to grow, they break easily and leak blood into the vitreous (vitreous hemorrhage) causing severe visual loss. In long standing retinopathy, secondary changes can occur forming scar tissue and may pull the retina away from the back of the eye (retinal detachment). Some of these complications may be irreversible and beyond repair.
What is the treatment for Diabetic retinopathy?
The treatment required depends upon the stage of the disease. In the very initial stages, just periodic follow-ups are advised to look for progression of the disease. Laser treatment is recommended when there is significant swelling in the macula, or when there are significant new blood vessels in the retina which can be better seen by Fluorescein angiography. It is a test in which a series of photographs of the eyes are taken after injecting a yellow dye in the arm to determine in which areas of the retina, the blood vessels are weak and leaking. Injections inside the eye may be required if swelling appears in the central part of the retina called Macula –it’s a minor procedure