When we say diabetic eye diseases we refer to a group of diseases that are caused by worsened by diabetes. Unfortunately if left untreated it may lead to severe vision loss and eventually blindness.
The diseases include:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Cataract
- glaucoma
Where diabetic retinopathy is the most common amongst them. It is characterized by defects in retinal vessels that feed the retina, like swelling, leakage and abnormal new vessels. These changes may –overtime-cause blindness.
Anyone who has diabetes is at risk, especially if it is longstanding and uncontrolled.
How to detect diabetic retinopathy
At early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there are no apparent symptoms at all.no vision changes or pain. Later, if the macula of the retina is affected – it is the area responsible for having a sharp central vision –by swelling and leakage of fluid causing macular edema. Along with abnormal new vessels blocking the vision, the patient may slowly suffer from blurred vision.
If the patient is unlucky, he/she may not suffer any symptoms till sudden vision loss!
That’s why visiting your ophthalmologist on regular basis is mandatory to save your vision, especially if you are diabetic.
The doctor will perform certain eye examinations using eye-dilating drops to examine the retina properly alongside the lens for cataract and intraocular pressure for glaucoma.
Is it treatable?
Fortunately yes! If you are in control of your diabetes and visit your ophthalmologist regularly and the disease was detected early enough.
Using advance laser technologies of stimulated light beams aimed at the defected areas of the retina shrinking down the abnormal vessels and their leakage too. Laser can save the retina if treated early enough But it cannot restore lost vision!
Few steps to save your vision:
- Control your sugar blood level.
- Visit your endocrinologist regularly.
- Visit your ophthalmologist regularly.
- Stay alert to any changes in your vision acuity.
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