Some people may not even be aware they have had diabetes for several years until they begin to show problems with their eyes or vision. Diabetic eye diseases are a collection of eye conditions that affect people with uncontrolled diabetes. These eye diseases comprise diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma, among other ailments. Diabetes can harm your eyes over time, potentially resulting in blindness or impaired vision. However, the good news is that by managing your diabetes, you can take precautions against diabetic eye illness or stop it from getting worse.

Types of Diabetic Eye Diseases

Let’s deep dive into various diabetic eye conditions:

 

1)     Diabetic Retinopathy: It is the most common cause of blindness in adults of working age. High blood sugar affects blood vessels in the retina, which is a light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye, resulting in diabetic retinopathy. Blood flow can be stopped or eyesight can become fuzzy as a result of swollen and leaking blood vessels. New blood vessels can occasionally form, but they are abnormal and may worsen existing eyesight issues. Both eyes are typically impacted by diabetic retinopathy.

The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy typically impact both eyes. Usually, there are no symptoms in the early stage, and the eye disease may occur without your knowledge. However, when diabetic retinopathy worsens, you may experience the following symptoms:

·        Increase in the number of floaters

·        Hazy vision occasionally transitions from blurry to clear -

·        Seeing dark or blank patches in your field of vision
Poor night vision

·        Noting that the colors have faded or washed out

·        Complete loss of vision

 

2)     Diabetic macular edema: It is caused by build-up of fluid in the center of the retina, or the macula. Diabetes can lead to swelling in the macula, which is called diabetic macular edema. Macular edema commonly develops in people who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy. The majority of our colour vision and sharp eyesight are attributed to this area of the eye. The symptoms include:

 

 

 

 

·        Vision that is wavy or blurry in the center of your field of vision

·        Objects appear to have different sizes if you look out of one eye and then the other

·        Floaters

·        Observing that colors seem washed out or faded

3)     Glaucoma: A class of eye conditions that cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve (the nerve in the back of the eye), typically as a result of excessive intraocular pressure. Many forms of glaucoma are asymptomatic, and vision loss can progress so slowly that it is imperceptible.

The most prevalent kind of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, is twice as likely to occur in people with diabetes. A family history of glaucoma, being older than sixty, and being African American, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino are additional risk factors.

Although glaucoma cannot be prevented, therapy can help keep the condition from worsening. This is the reason early detection of glaucoma is crucial.

4)    Cataract: The clouding of your eye's normally clear lens is called a cataract. Even though everyone's lenses eventually become clouded with age, individuals who have diabetes have a higher risk of developing cataracts earlier in life. One explanation for this is that excessive blood sugar can lead to deposits accumulating in the lenses, which oxidizes them.

High blood pressure, obesity, prolonged sun exposure, and smoking are other risk factors.

Control Diabetes to Delay Eye Diseases

In order to address diabetic eye illness, two main strategies involve controlling diabetes and medical management of eye diseases.

You can manage your diabetes and, in turn, delay eye disease by following ABCs, of diabetes. This involves checking your blood sugar (HbA1c), blood pressure, cholesterol, and quitting smoking. By taking the following precautions, you can preserve your vision and reduce your risk of vision loss:

 

• Get your eyes checked: To help your eye doctor identify any issues early on, when they are most treatable, schedule a dilated eye check at least once a year.
  
  
• Maintain blood sugar level: Try your best to keep your blood sugar levels within the desired range. High blood sugar can cause blurred vision and damage to the blood vessels of the eyes. It can also change the shape of your lenses. Monitor your blood sugar levels and glycosylated hemoglobin as recommended by your doctor.
  
  
• Maintain blood pressure and cholesterol:  Reduce your chance of developing eye disorders and losing your vision by maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol within your target ranges.
  
  
• Give up smoking: Quitting cigarettes benefits your health in many other ways, as well as lowers your chance of diabetes-related eye disorders.
  
  
• Get physical activity: Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity. Being active not only helps you get better sleep but also improves your mood. 

 

 

Medical Treatment of Diabetic Eye Diseases

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

In most cases, treating diabetic retinopathy can reverse eye damage and even avoid blindness. Eyesight loss can be avoided by beginning treatment before any impairment to your eyesight occurs. Treatment choices consist of:

 

• Laser therapy. This produces a scar tissue barrier that inhibits the development of new blood vessels.
• VEGF inhibitors are medications that either reverse or reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
• Removing the vitreous in its entirety or in part (vitrectomy).
• Retinal reattachment
• Injection of corticosteroid-containing medications.

Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

·        Eye drops containing NSAIDs

·        Laser treatment

·        Eye surgery

Treatment of Glaucoma

There is no known cure for glaucoma but vision restoration and further damage can be stopped with early doctor intervention.

Surgery, laser treatment, and medication are available as forms of treatment. Consult your eye doctor about the options that would work best for you.

Treatment of Cataract

Cataracts can only be treated surgically, though typically not immediately after the condition develops. Early intervention can include using anti-glare eyewear outside and brighter lights within your home. It could be time for surgery if your cataracts are making it difficult for you to do daily tasks. The good news is that most patients experience improved vision after the procedure, which is extremely safe.

 

Hence, we have learned so far that diabetic eye disease is a term for several eye problems that can result from diabetes. Keep your blood sugar in check to avoid diabetic eye damage. Observe the diet and exercise regimen prescribed by your primary care physician. It is imperative that you schedule an eye checkup with an ophthalmologist right away if you haven't already. Never neglect the follow-up examinations that your ophthalmologist prescribes.

If you have any questions about diabetes eye disease or other eye related problems, you can check with our ophthalmologist at Ask a doctor, 24x7.