Some Common Diabetic Eye Diseases: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

What is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease represents a host of eye conditions that can affect people who have diabetes. It includes diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. High blood glucose can damage the retina and lead to poor vision and blindness. Fortunately, you can prevent these eye diseases by managing your blood sugar and working with our eye doctor in Monterey.

Some Common Diabetic Eye Diseases

Diabetes affects the eyes in both the short and long term. High blood glucose can cause blurry vision in the short term or when you change your diabetic plan or medicine. This occurs because elevated blood sugar can affect fluid levels or cause tissue swelling. Here are some common diabetic eye diseases:

Diabetic Retinopathy

However, as the disease progresses, it can damage the blood vessels in the eyes that supply blood to the retina. When these vessels are damaged, they can leak fluid or even bleed. Furthermore, new and weak blood vessels can grow, worsening the condition. These weak vessels can bleed to the center of the eye and cause scarring or high pressure in the eye. This is diabetic retinopathy, and it’s the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema is when damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the macula. The macular is responsible for reading, seeing faces, and driving. Diabetes can lead to the swelling of the macula, leading to loss of the sharp vision in the eye and lead blindness. Macular often occur in people who have symptoms of diabetic retinopathy.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. It is often a result of fluid accumulation in the front part of the eye, causing increased pressure. This extra pressure can damage the optic nerve over time. Glaucoma often has no early symptoms or pain, so vision loss can occur before a person knows they have the condition.

Cataracts

Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to cataracts. The eyes have transparent lenses that assist in acquiring clear vision but become hazy as we age. Cataracts are a type of cloudy lens that is more common in individuals with diabetes. People with diabetes are more predisposed to cataracts at a younger age than those who do not have diabetes. Researchers believe that high glucose levels cause a build-up in the eyes, leading to cloudiness.

How Do You Know You Have Diabetic Eye?

There are no early signs in most cases, and you may not have pain or a change in vision as the damage begins. However, like diabetes, you will begin to notice changes in your eyesight. Some of the signs you may notice include blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, double vision, fatigue, dryness, and itchy and red eyes. If you experience these symptoms, visit our eye clinic near you.

What are the Treatment Options for Diabetic Eye Disease?

There are few options for diabetic eye disease treatment, and the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment based on the type and severity of the eye disease.

If you have diabetes, it is important to see an eye specialist regularly. He can detect early signs of diabetic eye and treat the condition accordingly. Treatment options include:

• Medications: The doctor may recommend medications that block the abnormal growth of blood vessels and stop fluid leaks.
• Surgery: may be required to remove abnormal blood vessels or scar tissue. Cataract lens surgery can also be done to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one.
• Laser Therapy: This treatment can help to prevent further vision loss by destroying abnormal blood vessels or correcting leaks.

How Often Should You Get Eye Exams?

It is important to catch any changes in the condition as soon as possible. Diabetic patients should have an eye exam at least once a year. More frequent exams may be needed if there are changes in vision or new symptoms develop.

Schedule an Appointment

Call or schedule your appointment with Eye MD Monterey for more information about diabetic eye disease treatment in Monterey, CA and how you can care for your eyes.