Diabetes and The Eye
Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in the Western World, amongst the working population, between the ages of 18-65.
The raised glucose level in the blood, gradually over the years, damages the retina’s blood vessels making them leaky. Fluid, fatty exudates and blood seap out of the vessels, accumulating and destroying the delicate light sensitive layers of the retina.
Other retinal capillaries actually collapse and close down. As a result the blood supply in areas of the retina becomes blocked off (ischaemia), and those areas cease to function causing blindness. Sometimes new blood vessels grow to supplement the reduced blood supply but these vessels cause more harm than good. They often rupture causing severe sudden haemorrhages, scarring and even retinal detachments.
In most cases all this can be prevented by laser therapy to the retina performed early on in the process. It is vital to undergo regular eye checks with your eye doctor, at least once a year and more often if advised. The examination involves dilating the pupils with drops, and requires a slightly extended wait in the clinic. (Your vision may be blurry as a result of the drops for about 3-4 hours afterwards, making driving difficult sometimes, so come accompanied)
If your eyes are healthy and your vision is good, you must keep it that way. Waiting until your vision starts to blur risks developing irreversible damage. Good control of your blood glucose, and blood pressure if raised, reduces the risk of diabetic eye disease also.
For more information on the eye and diabetes.
Eye Clinic,
Medical Centre
88 Ahuza St
Ra'anana, Israel
