Every diabetic should pay special attention to the health of their eyes as high concentrations of glucose in the blood can lead to various eye diseases. One of the most frequent complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, an eye injury that can lead to permanent blindness. Other eye diseases caused by diabetes are: glaucoma and cataracts, which can also develop into blindness, although there are effective forms of treatment that can bring about a cure for the disease.
These complications develop more easily in people with type 1 diabetes, and glucose control and frequent monitoring of diabetics is the most efficient way to avoid these consequences. Learn how to control diabetes to avoid complications.
The main eye complications caused by diabetes are:
1. Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy begins in a mild way, evolving, in some cases, to the most serious form of the disease, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, where there is a great impairment of vision, with hemorrhage, retinal detachment, formation of opaque membranes and neovascularization of the iris.
Argon laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy are the best forms of treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, but it must be made clear that the best way to prevent disease progression to blindness is through daily control of blood sugar levels. and at least 1 annual consultation with the ophthalmologist.
Find out more details about this disease in: Diabetic retinopathy
2. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is characterized by increased pressure inside the eye. Over time, this high pressure damages the optic nerve, which can lead to loss of lateral vision in your eye. Learn to identify the first symptoms of glaucoma.
Its treatment can be done with the daily use of eye drops to lower the pressure in the eye, but sometimes the ophthalmologist may recommend laser surgery.
3. Cataract
The cataract is a kind of cloud that forms over the lens of the eye, which leaves the vision blurred, its treatment consists of the removal of this 'cloud' and the placement of a lens inside the eye. Learn more details about cataract surgery.
What to do if you suspect visual impairment
If you have diabetes and notice that you are having difficulty reading, feel pain in your eyes, if they get red and if you feel dizzy at certain times of the day, you should measure your blood glucose daily to know your diabetes is properly controlled and follow the treatment indicated by the doctor to keep the blood sugar level under control.
In addition, it is advisable to go to an appointment with an ophthalmologist to do all the necessary tests to identify any ocular complications early. The best way to deal with this situation is to find out what you have right away and start the appropriate treatment because the complications of diabetes in the eyes can be irreversible and blindness is a possibility.
Even those who still do not have any visual changes should go to the ophthalmologist once a year to perform tests that can identify possible changes as soon as they appear.
