World Diabetes Day: Prevention and Care for Eye Health

Every November 14th, World Diabetes Day is celebrated, a date driven by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the impact of this chronic disease and promote prevention. At CODET Vision Institute, we want to highlight one of the most common and silent complications: eye diseases that can develop due to diabetes.

Eye Diseases and Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness worldwide. As blood sugar levels remain high, they can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, affecting vision. Among the most common eye diseases in people with diabetes are:

1. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye complication in people with diabetes. It is caused by high blood sugar levels as a result of diabetes. Over time, having too much sugar in the blood can damage the retina, the part of the eye that detects light and sends signals to the brain through a nerve at the back of the eye (optic nerve).

• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): Damage to the small blood vessels within the retina causes leakage of fluid and blood, along with swelling or thickening of the retina.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): Abnormal growth of small blood vessels extends from the retina into the vitreous, causing bleeding, scarring, and contraction of the vitreous, which may lead to retinal detachment.

Anyone with any type of diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, including people with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. You can reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by managing your diabetes.

2. Cataracts

Having diabetes makes you 2 to 5 times more likely to develop cataracts. It also increases the likelihood of them appearing at an earlier age. Cataracts cause the natural lens to become cloudy, leading to blurry, hazy, or less colorful vision.

3. Glaucoma

Having diabetes doubles the chances of developing glaucoma, a chronic condition where fluid retention causes increased pressure inside the eye. This added pressure can damage the retina and optic nerve, impairing vision.

It can also lead to a severe form of glaucoma: neovascular glaucoma, in which the disease damages the blood vessels. The body generates new blood vessels in the iris, blocking the eye’s natural drainage, leading to increased intraocular pressure and damaging the optic nerve.

Prevention and diagnosis

Early detection of these complications is crucial. Here are some recommendations:

• Blood sugar control: Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is essential to prevent eye damage.
• Regular eye exams: It is recommended that people with diabetes have at least one comprehensive eye exam per year, including pupil dilation.
• Blood pressure and cholesterol management: Keeping these levels under control can significantly reduce the risk of eye complications.

If you have diabetes, schedule an eye exam and take control of your eye health. Share this information with your family and friends to raise awareness about the importance of prevention in diabetes.

Source: National Eye Institute