Terrie

Eye Problems and Diabetes

The three major eye problems that people with diabetes need
to be aware of are cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.

To prevent eye problems, you should:

-Control your blood glucose.
-Have your eyes checked at least once a year by an
ophthalmologist (eye specialist).
-Control high blood pressure.

Contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

-Black spots in your vision
-Flashes of light
-"Holes" in your vision
-Blurred vision

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding or fogging of the lens inside the eye.
When this happens, light cannot enter the eye and vision is
impaired.

Symptoms

-Blurred vision
-Glared vision
-Everything looks browner/dirty

Treatment

Surgery followed by glasses, contact lenses, or lens implant

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a buildup of fluid in the eye that causes increased
pressure inside the eye. The pressure pushes on nerves in the
eye, causing changes in vision.

Symptoms

-Headaches
-Eye aches (pain)
-Blurred vision
-Watering eyes
-Frequent changes with glasses
-Halos around lights
-Loss of vision

Treatment

Special eye drops
Laser therapy
Medication
Surgery

Prevention

Have your eye doctor screen for glaucoma annually.

Retinopathy

Problems with the retina are called diabetic retinopathy.
Problems develop as a result of fluid leaking from blood
vessels into the eye or abnormal blood vessels formed
in the eye. In either case, vision can be affected. If
retinopathy is not found early or is not treated, blindness
can occur.

Symptoms

Sometimes there are no symptoms of retinopathy, but
two common symptoms are:

Blurred vision
Spots or lines in your vision

Treatment

Laser therapy
Surgery

Prevention

Have your eye doctor screen for retinopathy annually.

Women with pre-existing diabetes who become pregnant
should have a comprehensive eye exam during the first
trimester and close follow-up with an eye doctor during
pregnancy (this recommendation does not apply to women
who develop gestational diabetes, since they are not at risk
for retinopathy).

Blurred vision

Don't buy a new pair of glasses when you notice you have
blurred vision. Blurred vision can develop rapidly and can be
due to high blood glucose levels. High blood glucose causes
the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see.
To correct this kind of blurred vision, you need to get your blood
glucose level back into the target range (80-120 mg/dl before
meals, and 100-140 mg/dl before bedtime snack). Blurred vision
can also be a symptom of more serious eye problems. If your
vision is blurred, contact your doctor.

I had laser done 24 yrs. ago on my left eye(my right has been fine)
for Peripheral Retinopathy. It was caught early by my
Ophthalmologist and I had no symptoms.

Definition Diabetic retinopathy is characterised by varying degrees of microaneurysms, haemorrhages, exudates (known as hard exudates in the United States), venous changes, new vessel formation, and retinal thickening. It can involve the peripheral retina or the macula, or both. The range of severity of retinopathy includes background (mild non-proliferative), preproliferative (moderate or severe non-proliferative), proliferative, and advanced retinopathy. Involvement of the macula can be focal, diffuse, ischaemic, or mixed.

I had cataracts removed Sept/06 and Oct/06. During the surgery
I had the intraoccular lens implants so my eyes are Good.