Your Vision : Diseases & Conditions : Diabetes

 

Diabetes Eye Evaluation

 

Each year, more than 40,000 Americans lose their sight due to diabetes. Even more suffer from some degree of visual impairment. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your chances of developing complications from diabetic eye diseases, such as: diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts. With early diagnosis and treatment, diabetic blindness is usually preventable. Good diabetes control and regular eye examinations are imperative.

 

Many patients develop diabetic changes in the retina after 10 to 20 years. The effect of diabetes on the eye is called diabetic retinopathy. Over time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of the retina, causing damage to the capillaries which become weakened to the point of leaking, hemorrhaging and eventually becoming completely occluded. These abnormal blood vessels often lead to swelling or edema in the retina and decreased vision.

 

In the next stage, circulation problems can cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived, with new blood vessels developing as the circulatory system attempts to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the retina. Unfortunately, these delicate vessels tend to hemorrhage easily, causing spots or floaters, along with decreased vision. In the later phases of the disease, continued abnormal vessel growth and scar tissue can cause serious problems, such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment and glaucoma.

 

The affect of diabetic retinopathy on vision varies widely, depending on the stage of the disease. Some common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are listed below; however, diabetes may cause other eye symptoms.

 

• Blurred vision (this is often linked to low blood sugar levels)

• Floaters and flashes

• Sudden loss of vision

 

Diabetic patients require routine eye examinations so related eye problems can be detected and treated as early as possible. Most diabetic patients are frequently examined by an internist or endocrinologist who in turn works closely with the ophthalmologist.

 

Diabetic retinopathy is treated in many ways, depending on the stage of the disease and the specific problem that requires attention. We rely on several tests to monitor the progression of the disease and to make decisions for the appropriate treatment.

 

These include:

 

• Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT)

• Fluorescein angiography

• Retinal photography

• Ultrasound imaging of the eye

 

Researchers have found that diabetic patients who are able to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels have fewer eye problems than those with poor control. Diet and exercise play important roles in the overall health of those with diabetes. Diabetics can also greatly reduce the possibilities of eye complications by scheduling routine examinations with an ophthalmologist. Many problems can be treated with much greater success when caught early.

 

Laser treatment for both Diabetic Macular Edema and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy is very successful and most patients will respond well to those treatments when necessary. As the systemic disease progresses these types of lasers may need to be repeated over time. Additionally, some patients will benefit from newer injectable medicines to reduce swelling and leakage from damaged blood vessels.