Understanding Diabetic Eye Disease
Some say that your eyes are the windows to your soul. However, they can also give you a glimpse into your overall health. If you are living with diabetes, it is possible to develop a condition known as diabetic eye disease.
This condition can stem from uncontrolled high blood sugar, pressure, or cholesterol. It can also be a side effect of having diabetes for a long time. Over time, it significantly affects a person’s ability to see. Learn what diabetic eye disease entails, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what patients can do to prevent it.
What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease isn’t a condition in and of itself. It’s a term that describes a group of eye conditions that can result from the physical condition of diabetes. Consider the following diabetic eye conditions and how they can lead to vision problems and, in some cases, total blindness.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This disease causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina, a layer of tissue at the rear side of the eye that transforms light into electrical signals and sends those signals to the brain.
Diabetic retinopathy damages the retina’s blood vessels. The damage leads to swelling or leaking of blood vessels. In later stages, the blood vessels might close. Sometimes, new abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema occurs when diabetic retinopathy causes tiny bulges in the blood vessels. Eventually, fluid leaks into the retina, causing swelling and thickening in the macula. The macula is the part of the retina partially responsible for color vision and seeing fine details.
Cataracts
The eye’s lens bends light rays to help you see things clearly. When the proteins in your lens break down, the lens can become cloudy and, in many cases, less colorful. While nondiabetics can develop cataracts, people with diabetes have a higher incidence rate and often develop them earlier in life.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye instead of draining out. The fluid buildup causes pressure in the eye to rise, damaging the optic nerve. Over time, this damage causes blind spots and eventually leads to total vision loss.
Understanding the Symptoms and Testing for Diagnosis
In its early stages, diabetic eye disease usually has no symptoms. Many people don’t experience pain or other associated symptoms until the disease has progressed. Over time, you may develop a few (or all) of the following symptoms:
- Vision changes
- Blurry vision
- Vision going dark
- Spots in your vision
- Less colorful vision
- Flashes of light
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to make an appointment to see an eye doctor. Your doctor will use more than just your self-reported symptoms for a diagnosis. They’ll diagnose your problem with a dilated eye exam.
During this exam, the doctor will put eye drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils. This will allow them to see inside your eye all the way to the back. During the exam, your doctor will likely do the following:
- Give a basic eye chart test
- Check your side (peripheral) vision
- Test your pupils’ reaction to light
- Test your eyes’ ability to track objects
- Test your eye pressure (also known as tonometry)
Each test is necessary to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.
What Treatments Are Available for Diabetic Eye Disease?
Treating diabetic eye disease starts with getting your diabetes under control. High blood sugar is often the cause of diabetic eye disease, and controlling this condition may slow its progression. Once your diabetes is treated, your eye doctor may suggest one or more treatments for disease symptoms.
Medication
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications are often prescribed to diabetic eye disease patients. These medications block the protein VEGF, promoting blood vessel growth and leakage. They’re given as injections and can stop (and sometimes reverse) vision loss.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment uses light to create minor burns. These burns can shrink problematic blood vessels and dry out the retina, removing leaky fluid in the eye. Though this treatment won’t restore your vision, it can stop it from worsening.
Vitrectomy
This surgical treatment involves removing the vitreous, a gel-like substance that fills the eye. The substance is replaced with a different solution, such as saline. A vitrectomy can stop scar tissue (which develops with proliferative diabetic retinopathy) from causing the retina to detach from the tissue underneath it.
Cataract Lens Surgery
Your doctor can treat your cataracts by surgically removing your cloudy lens. They’ll replace the lens with another to ensure you maintain your vision. After you heal from surgery, your vision is likely to be better and more clear than before.
The Importance of Early Detection With Regular Eye Exams
People with diabetes have a 25% increased risk of blindness. However, more than 90% of that vision loss can be prevented with early detection.
Remember that diabetic eye disease doesn’t often have symptoms in the early stages. For that reason, all patients must get regular vision exams. This allows an eye doctor to catch the disease before it’s too late.
It’s also critical to control your blood sugar, exercise regularly, and stay away from cigarettes, which can increase your chances of developing cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.
If you’re looking for an experienced optometrist to help you monitor and manage your eye health, Looking Glass Optical can help. Book an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam today to learn about your options for preserving your vision and quality of life.
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