New Delhi: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss affecting millions of people worldwide, especially the working class. Diabetic eye disease imposes a significant burden on individuals, families, and the health system. Public health awareness can help in prevention, early detection, and early treatment, which can prevent major vision loss. Dr Suni Abraham, MBBS, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowarie, explained how vision loss is a possibility for diabetes patients if blood sugar is left unattended for too long.
How is the vision affected in diabetes?
High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels of the retina, leading to leakage of blood and accumulation of fluid, and formation of new vessels in the retina. Conditions are referred to as:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic Maculopathy
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
What are the risk factors of blindness?
In case of diabetes patients, the following factors can spike the risk of blindness:
- Uncontrolled blood sugar level
- Long duration of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Smoking
Management of diabetic eye disease
Effective management requires control of systemic and ocular factors. The systemic approach involves:
- Lifestyle modification, Adherence to proper medication
- Keeping blood pressure and lipid profiles under control
- Avoid smoking
- For the eye, the need for regular eye checkups, including dilated retinal checkups, plays a major role in preventing the development of complications.
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetic eye disease?
The early stages of diabetic eye diseases are mostly asymptomatic. However, some patients complain of:
- Floaters
- Blurring of vision
- Treatment of diabetic eye disease
- Varies from
- Laser photo coagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- Intravitreal injections for diabetic macular Edema
- Vitrectomy, depending upon the advanced retinopathy
Doctors say that when it comes to diabetic eye disease, public awareness should be a priority. Early detection can prevent the development of diabetic eye disease. Therefore, regular eye check-up and screening by dilated retinal check-up should he integrated with diabetic management protocols.
Doctors say that when it comes to diabetic eye disease, public awareness should be a priority. Early detection can prevent the development of diabetic eye disease. Therefore, regular eye check-up and screening by dilated retinal check-up should he integrated with diabetic management protocols. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
