Diabetes and eye problems often run hand in hand. This is because high blood pressure will damage the small blood vessels of the eye, which in turn alters its structure and function. There are actually several eye problems associated with diabetes, while other eye problems are due to diabetes. Some diabetes eye problems occur when blood vessels thicken, leak, develop clots, and close off. Sometimes the vessels will even grow balloon-like defects called micro-aneurysms.
There are many other causes leading to eye problems and diabetes vision loss. There have been cases where if the retina is denied its blood supply, new vessels will develop, but they are fragile. If blood vessels in the eye bleed, sometimes it can cause hemorrhages, scar tissue or separation of the retina from the back of the eye. The new vessels may also block fluid flow from the eye, causing glaucoma (WebMd.com, 2011).
Eye Problems with Diabetes
There are three major eye problems in diabetes. These are cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy. A cataract is a clouding or fogging or the lens of the eye. Glaucoma occurs when the fluid inside the eye doesn’t drain properly and pressure builds up, which causes nerve damage, vessel damage, and vision changes. Finally, diabetic retinopathy describes any complications related to the blood vessels in the eye of a diabetic person.
Diabetes Related Eye Problems
Eye problems and diabetes can be related in many different ways. However, usually treatments are available. It is an ongoing process for diabetics to take care of their eyes like they do the rest of their body.
Anyone can get cataracts, but it often occurs at an earlier age with people that have diabetes. Eye problems from diabetes also tend to progress faster too. If you have a cataract, your eye cannot focus light. This causes your vision to be blurred, glared, or permanently impaired. There is surgical treatment for this where a lens can be implanted; afterwards glasses or contact lenses are usually needed as well.
Another condition involving diabetes and eye problems is glaucoma. There usually are no symptoms of this problem until damage is already done. Some of the symptoms are headaches, eye aches or pain, blurred vision, watering eyes, halos around lights, and vision loss. This diabetes eye problem can be treated easier than most with special eye drops, laser procedures, medicine, or surgery.
Diabetic retinopathy has been shown to be related to high blood pressure levels. So, keeping your blood sugar under control can help prevent this condition. The longer you have diabetes, the more at risk you are at developing retinopathy, but early detection is important. If not found early, it could cause irreversible blindness. There are laser procedures and therapies which help in treating retinopathy. Surgery is also an option (MedicineNet.com, 2011).
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