26 Aug How Does Diabetes Impacts Eyesight?
Diabetes is a major medical concern for many people in the US. According to the statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 37.3 million people have diabetes, which means that 11.3% of the US population suffers from diabetes. One thing that diabetes can affect is the individual’s eyesight.
Regardless of what type of diabetes you have, there is a chance of various eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, etc. If you’re diabetic, it can severely impact your eyesight or even lead to complete blindness.
How Can Diabetes Affect Your Eye Sight?
All three diabetes can have a significant impact on your eye health in one way or another. The most common type of diabetes is Type 2, which makes up around 95% of people in the US. This type is often diagnosed decades after adulthood and it occurs when the body is unable to use insulin effectively to control blood sugar.
Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in earlier stages of life when the pancreas is unable to produce more insulin. However, pregnant women can also struggle with gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.
Increases the Chances of Cataracts
People with diabetes are more prone to develop cataracts. It is when a cloudy area forms in front of your eye. High levels of sugar can swell the eye’s lenses.
As a result, it can gather more opaque proteins, making it cloudier. You would have to go through a cataract-removal surgery to resolve this issue.
Makes Glaucoma More Likely
People with diabetes have higher chances of developing glaucoma, which can even lead to permanent blindness. The fluid in the eyes constantly changes with time, as there is a cycle that removes the old fluids and replaces them with new ones.
However, glaucoma can interrupt that cycle, which can increase fluid pressure. Consequently, the built-up pressure will damage the optic nerve and lead to issues like permanent loss of vision. It is best to go for regular eye examinations to spot glaucoma early on before it can do serious irreversible damage.
Leads to Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels lead to higher blood acidity, and as a result damages the back of the retina. It might take many years for diabetic retinopathy to become a serious issue. However, it can lead to permanent blindness if you don’t get a professional eye doctor to diagnose and treat it.
Moreover, it can also lead to macular edema. This condition occurs when the leaking blood vessels start going into the macula (a part of the retina). As a result, the macula will swell and you won’t have clear vision. Though macular edema is not as common as diabetic retinopathy, it is still a concern for many diabetic patients.
Opt for Total EyeCare
Seeking professional eye treatment solutions from Total EyeCare can help you avoid complications and issues that are a result of diabetes. Our doctors are highly trained and have years of experience in helping diabetic patients resolve eye issues.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment now for a comprehensive eye examination.