Diabetic Eye Problems

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related problem caused by damaged blood vessels in the retina. Initially, symptoms can be mild or even non-existent, but over time, this condition can cause blindness. Too much sugar in your blood causes the eye lens to swell and damage the blood vessels connected to the retina. According to the National Eye Institute, over 45 percent of people with diabetes suffer from this condition to some degree.

Risk Factors

• Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is vulnerable to diabetic retinopathy, though certain types of diabetics have a higher risk. You are more likely to have this condition if you smoke, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, and do not control your blood sugar levels properly. Pregnant women, African Americans and Hispanics are also at an increased risk.

Symptoms

• Symptoms are uncommon in the early stages of this condition, and usually appear as the disease progresses. They include spots disturbing your vision (eye floaters), blurry vision, seeing dark streaks or a red film that impedes vision, poor night vision and vision loss. This condition normally occurs in both eyes.

Types

• Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the most prevalent type, and is classified as mild, moderate or severe. This condition causes retina blood vessel walls to weaken, causing blood and other fluids to leak into the retina. These excess fluids cause the retina to swell; this is known as macular edema.
  Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the most serious form. People with PDR experience abnormal growth of the blood vessels in the retina. These growths form scar tissue that can force the retina to detach from the back of the eye. Sometimes these new blood vessels impede the normal flow of fluid out of the eye, putting pressure on the eyeball; this damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain.

Treatment

• People with NPDR usually do not need immediate treatment. A doctor will monitor the condition regularly to determine if laser treatments are needed.
  PDR requires prompt surgical intervention. Diabetic retinopathy cannot be cured, and treatments aim to slow the advancement of the condition. Vision loss is always a possibility.
  Focal laser treatments block the passage of fluid and blood into the eye. Lasers seal the leaks in the abnormal blood vessels. This treatment typically takes one session, and you will have blurry vision for about a day.
  Scatter laser treatment reduces the size of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Lasers target and shrink these vessels, which eventually causes them to disappear. Vision is blurred for about a day, and loss of night or peripheral vision is possible.
  A virectomy removes the blood and scar tissue affecting the retina. A surgeon cuts into the eye, removes the blood and tissue, and puts in a salt solution to help regain a normal shape of the eye. A gas bubble placed in the eye is sometimes necessary to help reattach the retina; if this is the case, you will need to lie face down for several days after the operation. You will also need to wear an eye patch and use medicated eye drops for up to several weeks.

Prevention

• Anyone with diabetes is at risk for diabetic retinopathy. The longer you have had diabetes, the more likely you are to develop it. Making your best effort to manage your condition is a vital first step. Eating a proper diet helps mitigate three risk factors: poor control of blood sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Exercise and take your medication regularly and in the proper doses. Smoking increases your risk for several complications resulting from diabetes, so quit smoking. Your doctor can help devise a cessation plan. Yearly eye exams are imperative, especially since early stages of the disease do not produce any noticeable symptoms.