These days, diabetes is all too common. So many people aren't aware of how just much it can affect sufferers. For example, diabetes increases the likelihood of ending up with several eye-related diseases. Generally, these include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, as well as a number of other conditions that can effect the health of the eye, and your vision.
Diabetic retinopathy, which occurs due to high blood glucose levels causing harm to the blood vessels in the retina. It's also an extremely common cause of blindness in adults.
Cataracts, which are fairly common in old age, and which lead to vision impairment due to the clouding of the eyeí´s lens, tend to develop earlier in people with diabetes.
People with diabetes have double the chance of developing glaucoma, sometimes referred to as the silent thief of sight, which is can result in blindness. This disease is categorized by optic nerve damage, and this can lead to the worsening of vision. If it isn't properly dealt with, the vision loss can be severe, and irreversible.
All diabetes sufferers - if it is type 1 or type 2 - are at increased chance of developing diabetic eye disease. The risk is even higher if the diabetes is uncontrolled. Other risks include:
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Race (Hispanics and African Americans may be more susceptible to vision loss and diabetic retinopathy).
Due to the nature of the condition, symptoms of diabetic eye diseases generally shift when blood sugar levels do. These often include:
- Blurry or distorted vision that may fluctuate
- Blind spots or floaters
- Double vision
- Eye Pain
- Scotoma
- Problems with near vision
- Corneal abrasions
It is essential to note that diabetic eye disease can develop prior to its symptoms even being noticed.
Early detection can mean the difference between retaining and losing sight, and is often central to avoiding subsequent vision loss and recovery of sight, if possible. With this is mind, diabetes patients need to go get an annual eye exam, to make sure that everything is okay. If you or a loved one have diabetes, it's so important to be sure you know about the risks and prevention of diabetic eye disease. Annual eye exams, and proper preventative measures, can make the difference between losing vision and seeing well for years to come.
