Beware, Diabetes Can Interfere with Eye Health

Diabetes is a health condition that can affect various organs of the body, the eye is one of them. How does diabetes affect eye damage? Check out the explanation in the following article.

The Link between Diabetes and Vision Impairment

Diabetes is a condition of the body that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin effectively. This condition causes a buildup of glucose in the blood.

If it happens continuously, excess blood sugar can reduce the elasticity of blood vessels and make blood vessels narrow. This condition will impede blood flow and reduce the supply of blood and oxygen to various organs, including the eyes.

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the back of the eye. This condition is known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina functions to convert light and images captured by the eye into nerve signals, then sent to the brain.

Diabetic retinopathy is the main cause of decreased vision and blindness in people aged 20 to 74 years.

Diabetics are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy when they have had diabetes for a long time, have poor blood sugar control, have smoking habits, and have high cholesterol.

In severe cases, diabetic retinopathy can cause:

• Blurred vision.
• dark spot on vision (floaters).
• Problems seeing colors.
• Blindness.

This diabetes complication may not show any symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that you have an eye examination at least once a year if you have diabetes.

Also Read: Diabetics Want to Eat Ice Cream, Is It OK?

Diabetes and Other Eye Diseases

Apart from diabetic retinopathy, diabetes can also cause other eye disorders, including:

1. Blurred Vision

If you feel you can’t see clearly, there could be a problem with the lens of the eye due to high blood sugar.

High blood sugar can cause the lens of the eye to swell and change your ability to see.

To overcome this, you need to get your blood sugar back within the normal range, which is in the range of 70 to 130 mg/dL when you haven’t eaten or less than 180 mg/dL after eating. It will probably take you about three months for your vision to return to normal.

Even though it looks harmless, you still need to consult an eye doctor if you experience this condition. The doctor will help you find the exact cause of this condition.

2. Cataracts

The eyepiece is useful for making you able to see images clearly. However, cataracts block the lens so you can feel a cloudy or dirty view, like looking in a dirty window or mirror.

This condition can actually be experienced by anyone, especially for someone who is elderly. However, people with diabetes generally develop cataracts more quickly and get worse more quickly.

You need surgery to remove cataracts. The doctor will replace the clouded lens area with an artificial lens.

3. Glaucoma

Diabetics have a higher risk of developing glaucoma. This condition occurs when fluid cannot go in and out as it should, thus increasing pressure in the eye.

In addition, this condition can also cause nerve and blood vessel damage, which eventually causes vision problems.

Diabetics are also at risk for neovascular glaucoma. This condition occurs when new blood vessels arise in the iris area. These blood vessels will block the flow of fluid and increase pressure in the eye.

In the early stages of glaucoma, you may not feel any symptoms. Therefore, it is important to carry out routine eye examinations so that doctors can detect this eye disorder. Now,that’s a complete explanation regarding eye disease in diabetics.

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