People often wonder what conditions like diabetes, gout or high blood pressure has to do with their eyes. The truth is, almost any systemic disease or condition can potentially have an effect on some part of the eye. Diabetes, in particular, is one of the diseases that should be carefully monitored since it can damage the eye and cause significant vision loss or even blindness. Diabetes is the most common cause of blindness in adults in the U.S.


What is diabetes and how does it affect the eyes?

If you have diabetes, your body does not use and store sugar properly. A number of problems can occur when your blood sugar level is higher than the normal level for your body type and weight. Having a high blood sugar level can damage blood vessels in the retina. The retina, one of the major parts of your eye, is the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and helps send images to the brain. Damage to these retinal vessels is called diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar can also cause the lens in the eye to swell causing blurred vision.

If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, schedule a complete, dilated eye exam with an OPI ophthalmologist (eye M.D.) as soon as possible. This will enable the doctor to assess your condition, set up a history of essential information as well as observe and report on the effects of diabetes on the health of your eyes. Damage to your eyes as a result of diabetes can sometimes occur without symptoms so yearly exams, complete with dilation, are extremely important. Results from your annual eye exam should be communicated to your primary care physician who can also help monitor your diabetes.


Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

A medical eye examination by a certified eye care professional is the only way to detect changes inside your eye that may indicate a diabetic retinopathy disorder. This disorder can manifest in several ways and areas of the eye including:

Macula:

• • Swelling of the macula

Retina:

• Growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina
• Bleeding and leaking of retinal blood vessels
• Bleeding in the retina
• Blockage of retinal blood vessels
• Retinal detachment

Optic Nerve:

• Optic nerve damage

Cornea and Lens:

• Corneal problems
• Early onset of cataracts
• Increased risk of glaucoma and cataracts

If complications develop in your eyes as a result of diabetes, your OPI doctor may recommend laser treatment or eye surgery to prevent further visual loss. Laser surgery can slow the progression of diabetic eye disease by shrinking or sealing the leaking, abnormal blood vessels that develop in the retina. The risk of vision loss from diabetes retinopathy is greatly reduced in some people after having laser surgery. Your OPI doctor will discuss all the particulars with you to determine the best course of action for your particular situation.


In the Know...

Six Key Facts about Diabetes and the Eyes

1. Diabetes may lead to eye disease
   • There are several factors that can contribute to eye disease including high blood sugar, high blood pressure levels, and genetics. Suggested ways that you can help prevent eye disease include maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels, a health-conscious diet, and regular exercise.
2. Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of different ways. Contact your OPI doctor to schedule a complete eye exam if you experience any of the following symptoms:
   • Blurry vision
   • Double vision
   • Rings, flashing lights, or blank spots
   • Dark spots or floaters
   • Pain or pressure in the eyes
   • Trouble seeing out of the corners of your eyes
   • Fluctuating vision
   • Nerve palsies – paralysis or uncontrolled movements
3. People with diabetes need an annual, dilated eye exam
   • Annual eye exams are essential for early detection of any problems caused by diabetes. Problems caught in the early stages can often be treated before severe vision loss occurs.
4. Controlling diabetes won’t prevent Diabetic eye disease
   • Even if your blood sugar levels are steady, you can still develop a diabetic eye disease condition. However, careful management of blood sugar levels can slow the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy.
5. People with diabetes may develop glaucoma
   • The fact is this: people with diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes. Also, among those who have had diabetes for a long time, glaucoma is more common.
6. People with diabetes may develop cataracts.
   • If you have diabetes, your chance for developing cataracts is increased plus they will appear at an earlier age and often progress quickly

For additional information about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, visit these websites:

http://www.diabetes.org/homepage.jsp
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001214