What is diabetic eye disease? According to
the American
Diabetes Association, more than 10 percent of the U.S. population has
diabetes. If you're one of the 34 million Americans with this chronic
condition, take a look at the top diabetic eye disease questions answered.
What Types of Eye Issues Impact
Diabetics?
Diabetic eye disease isn't just one ocular
issue. The term refers to several different potential problems that may affect
people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. These vision and eye disorders include:
- Retinopathy. This disease is
characterized by damage to the blood vessels of the retina. The results
include dark spots, blurry vision, dark areas of vision, impaired ability
to see color, and vision loss.
- Macular edema. Diabetic macular
edema causes swelling of the macula-or the center of the retina. You may
have blurry vision or see faded colors with this eye disease. Some
diabetics have complete vision loss over time.
- Glaucoma. Glaucoma affects the
optic nerve. If left untreated, this eye disease can eventually cause
blindness.
- Cataracts. Cataracts cause a cloudy
eye lens and can lead to blurry version or color perception loss.
While anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
can develop these eye diseases, it's most likely to happen if you have
uncontrolled high blood glucose (blood sugar). The increased risk for eye
disease adds to the importance of prompt and proper treatment of diabetes.
How Can You Prevent Diabetic Eye
Disease?
Again, diabetics with uncontrolled high
blood sugar have the highest likelihood of developing eye issues. Even though
some eye disorders aren't 100 percent preventable, the best ways to lower the
risks include:
- Test your blood sugar regularly.
Regular testing allows you to better understand your highs and lows. This
can alert you to constant or unexpected high levels and can help you to
keep your blood glucose levels under control.
- Visit the doctor. The doctor can
help you to keep your blood sugar under control. Regular appointments
allow the doctor to monitor your progress and make changes to medications
you take.
- Take your medications. Whether you
inject insulin, have a pump, or take oral medications, follow the doctor's
orders. The better controlled your blood sugar is, the less likely it is
you'll develop diabetic eye disease.
- Visit the eye doctor. Not only
should you see your endocrinologist regularly, you should also maintain
annual eye doctor appointments. The doctor can check your eyes and find
potential problems before they go from minor to major.
If you have blurred vision, color vision
changes, or any other eye issue, contact the eye doctor as soon as possible.
The sooner you have an exam and get a diagnosis, the more likely it is the
doctor can help you to treat diabetic eye disease.
How Should You Treat Diabetic Eye
Disease?
The answer to this question depends on what
type of eye disease you have and your individual needs. Common treatments for
diabetic eye disease include:
- Medications.
Direct eye injections
with medications can help some types of disease, such as diabetic
retinopathy. The doctor may inject vascular endothelial growth factor (or
VEGF) to stop the growth of new ocular blood vessels.
- Surgery.
Macular degeneration,
diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts may require surgery to correct your
vision.
- Laser treatment.
Diabetic
retinopathy may require a laser treatment, such as panretinal
photocoagulation.
The doctor will examine your eyes, take a
full medical history, and determine the best course of action for your vision.
If you already have some vision loss, the eye doctor may need to prescribe new
glasses or refer you to a vision rehabilitation specialist.
Do you need a diabetic eye exam? Contact Calvert Ophthalmology Center
for
more information.
