Eye is one of the many organs which can get affected by diabetes. Many diabetic complications can cause mild vision issues to complete blindness in the absence of proper medical care.
Formed by the complex parts like optic disc, blood vessels, retina, choroid, sclera, cornea, lens, pupil, and iris, the human eye is one of the most complicated and structural marvels. Thousands of blood vessels can be found in the structural marvel of eyes and these vessels will be damaged by diabetes which further leads to various eye-related complications including partial to complete blindness.
What exactly happens to the blood vessels?
The tiny blood vessels behind the eye provide the much-needed nutrients and oxygen for the eye. The fluctuating sugar levels due to diabetes can seriously damage these blood vessels. If the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, the chances of blood vessels damage gets higher. Not just that, the eye suffers a damage called microvascular abnormalities in which the complex structure of the eye gets affected in many ways.
Eye-related complications can be seen in both type 1 and 2 diabetic patients. However, not all people with diabetes will get eye complications. It really depends on the level of blood sugar and the stage of diabetes.
Who is at risk?
- The longer you have been diagnosed with diabetes, the higher your chances will be to get eye-related complications.
- People who have higher blood sugar levels need to look after their measures to control it.
- Poor control over sugar levels can also lead to diabetic retinopathy.
The other allies of diabetes such as hypertension, and high cholesterol can also increase the risk. People with diabetes and smoke or consume tobacco products and eat high cholesterol foods are at risk.
Some complications can be observed in pregnant women who are diabetic. Consulting your eye doctor during and after pregnancy is highly recommended by people who are just conceived and have diabetes.
What are the symptoms of eye complications caused by diabetes?
The chronic condition does not show any immediate effects on the eye. The symptoms can be long and slow and could not be seen unless they are checked for in the early stages. Floaters the major symptom in early stages. The person can observe dark floating strings in the vision.
Apart from that, blurred, fluctuating, and finding empty areas in vision are other symptoms related to complications of eye triggered by diabetes. Complications like diabetes retinopathy can be seen in both eyes. However, in some people it starts affecting one eye and spreads to the second.
What are the early and final complications?
- The damaged blood vessels into the jelly like substance that is in the middle of the eye. This can further cause blurry, floating vision. Excessive bleeding can block the vision completely.
- The blood vessels, apart from bleeding, can stimulate the growth of scar tissue that can separate retina from the back of the eye. This can cause sudden lighting or flashing in the vision and sometimes completely blinds the eye.
- Another serious complication of diabetes is glaucoma. Triggered by the growth of extra and unwanted blood vessels inside the eye, the vessels cause extra pressure that lead to the damage of the optic nerve. The nerve that carries images from the eye to the brain.
How to avoid diabetic-eye complications?
- Keep your blood sugar levels always under control by taking care of your diet, weight and physical activities.
- It is advisable for all the diabetes patients to undergo the daily and periodic medical checkups as prescribed by the doctor.
- While it is important to keep the blood sugar levels always under control, checking for eye complications at regular intervals is a must!
Diagnosis and Treatment
Treatment for eye issues depends on the level of damage caused by diabetes. After a careful diagnostic evaluation, the eye doctor prescribes medications or conducts eye procedures like glaucoma surgery or cataract surgery to correct the vision.
When to see the doctor?
You should see the doctor, whenever you observe blurry vision or black or yellow spots in your vision. Early detection can save your vision in its entirety. If you are diabetic, and observing any of the symptoms mentioned above, book an appointment with your nearest eye doctor or visit an eye hospital today.