Diabetes Affects The Retina Of The Eye
Eyes
The best thing which we have is the ability to see this world with our beautiful eyes. It’s very important to take utmost care of our eyes through regular checkups, maintaining a healthy diet and doing some eye exercises. As the world is going digital, with lots of advancements in technologies, there’s a lot of pressure on the eyes. Many projects , meetings are being held online, so the work demands long sitting hours in front of the computer. So in that bargain, there is negligence towards health and strain on the eyes. Due to tremendous work pressures, there is a drastic change in the lifestyle of every individual. This has led to many disorders like diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, obesity. Negligence towards health would result in health complications including eye complications.
The greatest fear many patients have about eye disease is going blind or vision impairment. People with diabetes are at the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, eye complications, effects on the heart, kidney. With regular follow-ups and check-ups the complications can be very well managed at the very initial stage.
Diabetes causes eye problems and may lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of diabetic eye disease. It becomes dangerous if left untreated, increasing the risk of blindness. It is known to increase with age, if the blood sugar levels and blood pressure are not controlled.
Blood glucose levels cause changes in retina blood vessels. These vessels swell up and leak fluid into the rear of the eye.
How Diabetes Causes Retinopathy
The retina is the light-sensing component located in the back of the eye. It is composed of blood vessels, nerve cells (neurons), and specialized cells called photoreceptors that are involved indirectly sensing light. The ability of the retina to sense light requires energy, which is dependent on the oxygen supplied by blood circulating through blood vessels.
In diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina. These damaged blood vessels leak fluid, bleed, and do not provide adequate oxygen to the retina, leading to retinal ischemia. As a result, retinal cells begin to die and the retina is unable to function properly. In addition, diabetes also damages the neurons of the retina directly. Together, these effects cause diabetic retinopathy.
Vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy may initially affect central vision due to a condition called diabetic macular edema. This swelling of the macula, a portion of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision, can lead to blurry vision and distortion of images.
Advanced diabetic retinopathy is characterized by the formation of irregular blood vessels that can bleed inside the eye, causing a rapid loss of vision. This results in a sudden, curtain-like vision loss as blood fills up the inside of the eye. Further worsening of advanced diabetic retinopathy can lead to retinal detachment, which requires urgent surgical intervention and can result in permanent, irreversible vision loss if not promptly treated.
Factors Affecting Retinopathy
- Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
- Past history of diabetes
- Duration
Things To Keep In Check To Avoid Retinopathy
Regular check up and follow up with the consulting physician.
To keep a check on blood sugar levels, regular blood investigations to be done like HBA1C, Biothesiometry, Ankle Brachial Index, Podiascan, Creatinine check and very important one, FUNDOSCOPY – retinal examination done by the ophthalmologist.
As blood glucose directly damages retinal blood vessels, there is a strong possibility that blood sugar control minimizes the incidence and severity of diabetic retinopathy.
An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats diabetic retinopathy before the sight is affected.
In general, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes should see an ophthalmologist for retinal examination once in every year or depending on severity as advised by the ophthalmologist.
If proper care is taken towards eye complications, several types of eye diseases can be prevented and treated on time. Some treatments may be effective in preventing or slowing down the progression of blindness or vision loss.
Be alert, be responsible and be knowledgeable about the importance of the yearly investigations of health check ups.
Damage to eyes can be avoided by taking proper care of eyes. Keep them healthy by following regular check ups, maintaining a well balanced and healthy diet, doing some simple eye exercises for better circulation, having adequate sleep, maintaining hydration and keeping eyes away from the screen at regular intervals.
Eyes ! The Most Beautiful Thing On Earth Has To Be Taken Care Of To Experience All The Wonderful Things In The World
You can view a detailed video on our Lifeblyss Diabetes Clinic Youtube Channel –Â Diabetes eye problems
For any diagnostics and treatment related to eyes you can visit our clinic Lifeblyss
