4 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes

4 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes

Diabetes is a disease caused when blood sugar levels in the body become too high and can affect people of all ages. There are various side effects of diabetes and it is a condition that should be taken seriously and monitored closely. Taking care of your eyes when you have diabetes is crucial because the condition can cause eye problems that, if not cared for properly, can lead to deterioration and potential irreversible eye damage. In this article, I will explore 4 ways diabetes can affect the eyes.

1. Diabetische Retinopathie

Diabetic retinopathy is probably the most well-known complication of diabetes and must be taken seriously as it can lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, which forms the back of the eye. The retina is the part of the eye that converts the light we see into signals that are sent to the brain via the optic nerve. This is then converted by the brain into the images we see. Diabetic retinopathy is caused when the small blood vessels in your retina become blocked, leaky, or have abnormalities due to high blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of diabetic retinopathy;

1. Hintergrund diabetische Retinopathie – Bei diesem Typ handelt es sich um sehr frühe Veränderungen der Netzhaut. Normalerweise beeinträchtigt dies nicht das Sehvermögen, muss jedoch sorgfältig überwacht werden, um sicherzustellen, dass es nicht schlimmer wird.
2. Diabetische Makulopathie – Bei diesem Typ hat sich die diabetische Hintergrundretinopathie an oder um die Makula entwickelt. Die Makula ist entscheidend für eine gute Sicht, da sie eine zentrale Sicht bietet. Eine diabetische Makulopathie kann das Sehvermögen beeinträchtigen.
3. Proliferative diabetische Retinopathie – Dieser Typ wird verursacht, wenn sich die diabetische Retinopathie im Hintergrund verschlimmert. Wenn die Blutgefäße durch die beiden oben genannten Arten in einem großen Bereich beschädigt oder blockiert werden, führt dies zu einer verringerten Blutversorgung der Netzhaut. Der Körper versucht dies zu kompensieren, indem er neue Gefäße auf der Oberfläche der Netzhaut wachsen lässt. Diese Gefäße sind jedoch sehr schwach und bluten, was wiederum das Sehvermögen beeinträchtigen kann. Die Blutung kann auch Narben verursachen, die an der Netzhaut ziehen. Dies kann zu einer Netzhautablösung führen. Während Netzhautablösungen behoben werden können, ist dies manchmal nicht möglich, was zu Sehstörungen oder Blindheit führt.

2. Katarakte

While the development of cataracts is extremely common and is part of the eyes' natural aging process, people with diabetes may develop cataracts earlier and more quickly. Cataracts are caused by aging eyes that become cloudy and stiff. Symptoms of cataracts usually include blurred vision and glare or halos, especially at night. Cataracts are usually easily removed through cataract surgery, and an artificial intraocular lens is implanted in their place to restore vision.

3. Glaukom

Glaucoma is caused by an increase in eye pressure. Pressure occurs when eye fluid cannot be drained as usual. This can then cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves in the eye, causing vision problems. If not properly monitored and treated, it can lead to blindness. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop a rare glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma. This type of rare glaucoma is caused when new blood vessels develop and grow on the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. This blocks the normal flow of eye fluid and in turn increases the pressure inside the eye. While normal types of glaucoma can be treated with eye drops and possible surgery if necessary, neovascular glaucoma is difficult to treat and may require the use of laser surgery or implants to control glaucoma.

4. Verschwommene Sicht

Blurred vision can be caused by something else, such as: B. Cataracts. However, if you have diabetes, it can sometimes be caused by an imbalance in your blood sugar levels, which can be easily corrected. The high blood sugar levels can cause the lens in your eye to swell, resulting in blurry vision. To treat this, you may just need to get your blood sugar levels back under control and within limits. It may take a few months for the blurred vision to disappear. If you develop blurred vision, make an appointment with your GP and optometrist or eye clinic so they can make sure it is nothing serious.

Remember if you have diabetes to have your eyes checked regularly. Anyone over 12 years old with diabetes should be invited to an annual diabetic eye screening. It is important not to miss this. Early detection of diabetic eye disease can affect your vision.

Inspired by Samer Hamada