Uveitis & Diabetes

Diabetes has long been known to increase the chances of a variety of eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathy, and uveitis. While most eye problems caused by diabetes can be difficult to prevent entirely, proper medical care and regular optometrist visits can help minimize these problems.

Description of Uveitis

• Uveitis is an inflammation of a part of the eye known as the uvea. Forms of this condition (including anterior, intermediate, posterior and panuveitic) are named according to the part of the uvea that is affected. While this disease is sometimes brought on by infection in other parts of the body, it may exist in the eye independently as well.

Signs and Symptoms

• Signs and symptoms of uveitis include redness of the eye, an aching pain in the eye, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Although some cases are sudden and painful, the infection may show itself slowly, with little or no pain. Uveitis is responsible for approximately 10 percent of blindness.

Treatment

• While some cases are mild, many occurrences of uveitis must be treated promptly to prevent vision loss. Most times, the doctor will prescribe steroids in the form of eye drops and pain medication, if necessary. Patients with more severe cases may need to be treated with eye injections. Complications may include cataracts and glaucoma.
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Scientific Studies

• An article published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine indicates that out of 340 patients with uveitis, 20 also suffered from diabetes. This number accounts for 20 percent of the individuals who participated in the study, a significant increase from the average 1.4 percent. In every case, patients with both diabetes and uveitis were diagnosed with diabetes first.

Diabetes and Eye Disease

• This strong link between diabetes and eye disease is explained by the damage high blood sugar causes in the blood vessels. While this damage may not be readily noticeable in other parts of the body, the eye is especially sensitive to these changes. When the blood vessels in the eye become swollen and damaged, they produce a variety of eye problems, including uveitis.

Prevention

• Being aware of the vision risks associated with diabetes is the first step to preventing them. If you suffer from diabetes, be sure to receive regular eye examinations from an optometrist you trust. Always request to have your eyes dilated so that your optometrist can diagnose any problems with your retina, a symptom commonly associated with uveitis.