Your Eyes
Careful regulation of blood sugar reduces the risk of complications, including diabetes related eye damage. High blood pressure can also damage the eyes and must be treated. An eye specialist should examine the retinas of your eyes every year.
Diabetes and your eyes
When your diabetes was first diagnosed you may have had blurred vision because of high blood sugar levels. It is not appropriate to change your glasses until your blood sugar is stabilized, as the prescription will continue to change until the diabetes is under control. It is mandatory to have your doctor or an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) check the back of your eyes (the retina) when you are told you have diabetes.
Eye complications can be limited by keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure within your target range. You will not feel the early changes, so it is important that they are detected in good time. Yearly check-ups allow your doctor to monitor your eyes and detect problems early, so they can be treated.
When diabetes affects the small blood vessels supplying the back of the eye (the retina), your vision can be affected. Eye conditions called ‘cataracts’ and ‘glaucoma’ are more likely when you have diabetes.
The retina
The retina can be compared to a camera film the area where the picture of the surrounding world is generated. The small blood vessels, which feed the retina, are usually affected by diabetes. In the early stages, small vessels may close down, and become leaky. Small bleeding points can be seen on the retina. As the disease progresses, some parts of the eye are left without enough blood. Over time, new vessels develop to overcome this, but they are fragile and tend to bleed. If retinal disease is not detected and treated early, the retina can actually come away from the back of the eye, and vision is lost completely.
Looking at the retina
Your doctor will often look at the retina with a device called an ophthalmoscope. You will have your pupils dilated with special drops. Alternatively, you may be referred to a clinic or mobile unit to have digital retinopathy screening. In addition to this, photographs of the retina may be taken to ensure problems are detected and treated as soon as possible.
Treating retinal disease
Early retinal disease can be treated with lasers. More advanced disease sometimes requires surgery.
Cataracts
Clouding of the lens of the eye, or ‘cataracts’ may make you feel like you are looking at the world through frosted glass. People with diabetes may develop cataracts earlier than those without it. The development of a cataract can be monitored, and you may be prescribed a change in glasses to maintain good vision. If your cataract interferes with daily activities, you can be referred to an eye surgeon who may recommend surgery.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the passages that allow fluid in the eye to drain become blocked. For some people, the only symptom may be intermittent headaches, so it is important to have regular eye examinations in order to detect glaucoma early. For people at risk it is important to have annual eye examinations. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. It is generally treated with eye drops or pills to lower pressure inside the eye. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing eye pressure.
APP/KOL/AC 22/02/07