Diabetes and Eye Health
Diabetes and Eye Health
Diabetes affects just over 9% of Americans, both children and adults. There are several types of ocular complications from diabetes with diabetic retinopathy being the most severe. Nearly 1 out of 3 of diabetic adults is affected by diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the small blood vessels in the retina, possibly leading to major vision problems or blindness if not treated. The longer someone has had diabetes the more likely diabetic retinopathy will affect the retina. The risk of diabetic retinopathy also increases with poor control over blood glucose levels.
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Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetes can also cause swelling (edema) of the macula, which is responsible for the central and most detailed part of vision. Undiagnosed macular edema may result in scarring and ultimately vision loss.
Glaucoma and Cataracts
People with diabetes have approximately 40% greater risk to develop glaucoma and 60% greater risk to develop cataracts. Diabetes may also accelerate the progression of each of these conditions. Glaucoma is optic nerve damage caused by poor blood circulation to the nerve. Cataracts are clouding of the lens inside the eye resulting in blurred vision.
Vision Changes
Fluctuations in blood glucose levels often result in changes of the lens inside the eye, shifting vision dramatically. In this case it may appear there is a need for glasses prescription changes when it is actually diabetic influence. Sometimes large shifts in vision become the first detectible sign of diabetes.
The doctors at Lifetime Vision Care follow the recommendations of the American Optometric Association for annual dilated eye health examinations for those diagnosed with diabetes. It is important to have regular eye health examination even without symptoms present. The ocular complications of diabetes may not create obvious symptoms, especially in the early phases when treatment intervention is most critical.
Source: Lifetime Vision Care, Bend OR (lvcbend.com)
