How Diabetes Affect the Eyes

Diabetes has many symptoms, including those that affect the eyes. People who have diabetes also have a greater risk of becoming blind than those who do not. Though not entirely common, people with diabetes may develop some sort of eye complication during the progression of the disease, if not properly managed.
  1. Glaucoma

    • People with diabetes also experience a greater risk of developing glaucoma, loss of eyesight beginning with the peripheral vision due to pressure that pinches blood vessels in the eyes. As a person ages, the risk of glaucoma increases.

    Cataracts

    • Though cataracts are common, people with diabetes tend to develop them at a younger age than those who do not have diabetes.

    Nonproliferative Retinopathy

    • This is a disorder of the retina brought on by diabetes. Blood vessels in the retina get blocked and make pouches. This makes focusing difficult.

    Proliferative Retinopathy

    • In this more advanced stage, the blocked blood vessels close up. Blood may leak into the eye and the retina may become detached. This condition can be very damaging to the eyesight.

    Treatment

    • Managing symptoms and getting proper care quickly is the best way to prevent damage to the eyes from diabetes. Procedures such as scatter photocoagulation, focal photocoagulation and vitrectomy are among the methods used to fight off blindness.

Diabetes - Related Articles