Diabetic eye disease encompasses several serious vision conditions that can affect people with diabetes. These conditions can lead to severe vision loss or blindness if not properly managed through regular eye examinations and treatment. At Mudgil Eye Associates, our experienced team specializes in the early detection, management, and treatment of diabetes-related eye conditions.
People diagnosed with diabetes have an increased risk of developing various eye complications that can affect their vision and overall eye health. While diabetes can increase the likelihood of developing several eye conditions, the most common and serious is diabetic retinopathy, which affects more than 5 million Americans over the age of 40.
Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye disease characterized by damage to the blood vessels in the retina - the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can lead to these blood vessels becoming damaged, causing them to leak fluid or bleed, distorting vision.
This is the early and most common form of the disease. During this stage:
This more severe stage occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina. These vessels can cause serious vision problems:
A serious complication of diabetic retinopathy affecting the macula - the part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. DME occurs when fluid builds up in the macula, causing it to swell and thicken. This can lead to blurred vision and, if left untreated, permanent vision loss.
While cataracts are common as people age, individuals with diabetes tend to develop them earlier and experience faster progression. High blood sugar levels can cause the lens to swell and become cloudy, leading to blurred or dimmed vision.
People with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop glaucoma compared to those without diabetes. This condition occurs when pressure builds up inside the eye, potentially damaging the optic nerve and leading to vision loss.
Early detection through regular screening is crucial for preventing vision loss from diabetic eye disease. Because many forms of diabetic eye disease can develop without symptoms, regular comprehensive eye examinations are essential.
Our comprehensive diabetic eye examination includes:
Multiple other more advanced treatments such as the following can be offered by retina specialists
Anti-VEGF medications or steroids are injected directly into the eye to reduce swelling and slow disease progression. This is particularly effective for treating diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Early detection through regular screening is crucial for preventing vision loss from diabetic eye disease. Because many forms of diabetic eye disease can develop without symptoms, regular comprehensive eye examinations are essential.
For advanced cases, this surgical procedure may be necessary to:
While regular eye examinations are crucial, managing your overall health is equally important in preventing or slowing the progression of diabetic eye disease:
While both conditions affect retinal blood vessels, they have different causes. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by elevated blood sugar levels, causing blood vessels to leak and swell. Hypertensive retinopathy results from high blood pressure, which narrows blood vessels and limits retinal function. Both conditions require prompt medical attention.
If you have diabetes, you should have a dilated eye exam with a comprehensive ophthalmologist or retina specialist once a year. More frequent visits may be necessary depending on your condition's severity. Even if you don’t notice any changes in your vision, getting a diabetic eye exam every year is crucial. It helps ensure any potential problems are identified and treated early, reducing the risk of long-term damage.
The early stages often have no visible symptoms, which makes annual screenings crucial. However, symptoms of proliferative diabetic retinopathy include:
Treatment depends on the stage and affected area. Options include:
Early stages may only require monitoring, but advanced stages typically need intervention.
Key prevention strategies include:
During a diabetic eye exam, the doctor will perform several tests to assess the health of your eyes and check for signs of diabetic eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, or glaucoma. Here’s what typically happens:
1) Medical History Review: The doctor will ask about your diabetes history, blood sugar control, and any eye symptoms or vision changes you're experiencing.
2)Visual Acuity Test: This test measures how well you can see at different distances using an eye chart.
3) Dilated Eye Exam: Eye drops will be used to dilate (widen) your pupils so the doctor can get a better view of the back of your eyes, including the retina and optic nerve. After dilation, the doctor examines your retina for signs of damage, such as blood vessel leaks, swelling, or abnormal blood vessels.
4)Ophthalmoscopy/Fundus Photography: Using a special magnifying lens or a camera, the doctor examines the retina and optic nerve for damage or takes photographs to document the condition of your eyes.
5) Tonometry: This test measures the pressure inside your eyes to screen for glaucoma, which can be more common in people with diabetes.
6) OCT or Angiography may be necessary in certain cases.
