Diabetes can lead to loss of vision. Eye surgeon explains how to be safe
India has earned the dubious title of being the "diabetes capital of the world" with over 50 million patients suffering from type-2 diabetes. It is estimated that many cases are unreported due to poor socio-economic conditions. It is indeed a disease whose impact is witnessed in the entire body, including the eyes.
Our lifestyle is quite important for our general well-being. One of the perils of sedentary life is the rise of metabolic diseases like diabetes. Most of us are aware of this condition now. However, there's not much awareness about its implications on the eyes, often considered one of the most superior of all senses gifted by God. Diabetes hampers the blood vessels and eyes are often severely affected.
The eye is unique in providing a window to look at these vessels directly, and hence the severity of diabetes in the body can often be gauged by looking inside the eye.
Retina is a part of the eye, which is much like the film of a camera, where the light is focussed and the image of what we are "seeing" is formed. The retina is primarily damaged in diabetes, and these damages lead to a condition called as diabetic retinopathy.
In advanced stages, diabetic retinopathy leads to loss of vision. Often diabetic patients, due to apprehension towards visiting a doctor or because of unawareness, experience blurring of vision. Then only, they consult a doctor. This must be avoided.
At these stages, swelling in the eyes is seen, or eyes bleed, or much worse, the retina may detach.
So how do we prevent this complication of vision loss due to diabetes? The most important step is to get a dilated eye examination done, so that the severity of diabetic retinopathy can be measured. Once loss of vision occurs, the sugar level becomes poor and it leads to long-standing damage to the retina.
One should go for a preventive eye check, even with normal vision.
The general belief, or common perception, for the loss of vision in old age is due to cataract, which can be cured with surgery in most cases. However, retina is a highly sensitive part of the eye, and in case of diabetic retinopathy, once loss of vision occurs, the aim of treatment, then, is to prevent further vision loss, with restoration of vision occurring in some eyes.
During the initial stages, the swelling in the eye, in most individuals, is treated by delivering medication inside the eye by injections. Some cases need laser treatment, and those with more severe complications may need an eye surgery.
The chances of successful treatment are certainly much higher at an early stage than in advanced stages. On an average, patients with initial stages of retinal swelling are able to read up to two more lines of the vision chart following eye injections. At an advanced stage, however, the chances of improvement depend on the extent of retinal damage.
Treatment may include surgical removal of bleeding inside the eye, and removal of traction on the retina. Even after surgery, the prognosis may remain poor in many cases; few with preserved retinal function may witness vision improvement.
If you are diabetic, or have anyone close to you suffering from diabetes, please get a regular dilated eye examination, much before any loss of vision occurs. And like most things in life, when it comes to diabetic retinopathy, prevention is much better than cure.