EYE IN DIABETES

Diabetes is a disease in which the human body fails to effectively utilize the sugar. The increase in blood sugar can cause dysfunction of kidneys, nerves and eyes. The eye problems in diabetes are twice as common as in non-diabetics.


How can diabetes affect eyesight?

The risk of blindness is 25 times higher diabetes can affect vision by causing cataract, glaucoma and retinopathy. Patients with diabetes develop cataract early in life. Their chances of developing glaucoma are also higher.


What is diabetic retinopathy?

The retinal involvement of diabetes is called as “Diabetic retinopathy”. Retina is the inner layer of the eye that forms the image of objects we see. Diabetes cause leaking of the blood vessels of the retina causing swelling of the retina and bleeding inside the eye. In advanced causes, the retina may get detached from its position.


I am a diabetic. What is my risk of having diabetic retinopathy?

The risk of diabetic retinopathy depends on duration of diabetes. Fifty percent of diabetics will have retinopathy after 10 years of diabetes while 85% develop it by 20 years. You could have diabetes long before you were actually diagnosed. So you should consult an eye specialist for any signs of retinopathy as early as feasible.


How is retinopathy diagnosed?

The eye specialist can detect the diabetic changes in blood vessel by examining the retina. The finder details of the blood vessels can also be detected by a test known as fulorescein angiography.


How can early diagnosis save my eyesight?

Diabetic retinopathy is often symptoms less until deterioration of vision occurs. Early detection and treatments significantly reduces the risk of vision loss.


Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?

Diabetic retinopathy is not preventable, but its complications are. A good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, body weight and blood lipid levels can delay the occurrence of sight threatening complications of this disease.


How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

It is treated by laser treatment of retina known as “Laser Photocoagulation”. It is painless; day care procedure requiring no hospitalization. In advanced cases where blood has collected in the eye or retina has got detached, only surgery is the alternative.


Will laser improve my eyesight?

Laser treatment helps to retina the eyesight but does not help to regain the lost vision.