I have diabetes. Does that make a difference in my eyesight?
Uncontrolled diabetes allows unusually high levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia) to accumulate in blood vessels, causing damage that hampers or alters blood flow to your body's organs — including your eyes.
The retina (the neurological lining inside the eye) is one of the first places in the entire body, where effects from diabetes can be observed (retinopathy). For this reason, it is recommended that individuals with diabetes have regular evaluations by an optometrist. Also commonly associated with diabetes are cataracts and glaucoma.
Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a blood vessel-related complication of diabetes.
There are three types of retinopathy in diabetes:
Background Retinopathy: Often no visual symptoms are present, but examination of the retina can reveal tiny dot and blot hemorrhages known as microaneurysms, which are a type of out-pouching of tiny blood vessels.
Maculopathy: Swelling of the macula. Maculopathy (macular edema) may cause reduced or distorted vision.
Proliferative Retinopathy: Development of abnormal blood vessels (neovascularization) in the retina, on or adjacent to the optic nerve and vitreous. These abnormal blood vessels formed from neovascularization tend to break and bleed into the vitreous humor of the eye. This could also result in a retinal detachment. Ischemia (lack of oxygen needed for a healthy retina) from decreased or blocked blood flow to the retina may also occur as a result of neovascularization.
Cataracts
Anyone can develop cataracts and the risk increases with age. However, diabetes increases that risk at an earlier age and the progression is more rapid.
Glaucoma
Diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma, specifically an uncommon type called neovascular glaucoma. This form of glaucoma is characterized by blood vessel growth on the iris, blocking the normal flow of fluid out of the eye. It is difficult to treat.
In all types and stages of retinopathy, it is vital to manage your diabetes because it controls progression or stalls development of the eye condition. These can be very serious issues if not monitored and controlled. In fact, in adults ages 20 to 74, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Please contact us for advice on maintaining good eye health with diabetes.