Diabetes in eye health.
As diabetes is becoming more prevalent, it is important to understand the impact it can have on your eye health.
What are the types of diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus type 1 is usually genetic and diagnosed at a young age.
Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is generally a lifestyle disease, closely linked to raised BMI.
How does diabetes affect my eye health?
The eyes, along with the kidneys, are usually the first organs damaged.
Fluctuating blood sugar levels in the eye can cause cataracts (clouding of the lens) at an earlier age. Cataracts are usually reversible with lens replacement surgery.
Microvascular injury, however, is the more serious complication caused by diabetes. The retinal vessels (blood supply of the retinal neurons) are usually first to be affected in two possible ways:
– Occlusion of the vessels with retinal ischaemia (the retina does not receive enough blood, leading to cell damage)
– Damage to the membrane resulting in leakage and haemorrhage (excessive blood loss).
Ischaemia can cause retinal neovascularisation (abnormal new blood vessels), resulting in retinal fibrosis (scar tissue overgrowth) and even neovascular Glaucoma (raised pressure in the eye).
With leakage/haemorrhage, vision is impeded by macular oedema/haemorrhage. This is mostly treated with a course of intravitreal injections, where medicine is injected directly into the eye.
When to see an Ophthalmologist?
The importance of regular (yearly) check-ups of diabetics cannot be overemphasised for patients with diabetes. That is why yearly examinations by an Ophthalmologist are part of the basket of benefits available to a patient with Diabetes, registered for chronic conditions with their Medical Aid.
The mantra of the earlier detected the better holds true, as treatment is aimed at preventing further visual loss. Only 20% of patients regain some of the vision lost due to diabetes after treatment.
Links: https://www.facebook.com/Diabetes.South.Africa/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-diabetes-federation