Diabetes: The Number One Cause of Blindness
Early Detection and Management Can Help Save Your Sight
By Rajiv Anand, MD, MS, FRCS, Texas Retina Associates, North Dallas LIVING WELL Magazine
Diabetes or high blood sugar is a problem for many middle-age Americans. With obesity and sedentary lifestyles on the rise, it is estimated there are about 45 million people in the U.S. with type 2 diabetes. Most people don’t realize diabetes can also affect the eyes and lead to vision loss. This damage is exacerbated with high blood pressure and cholesterol.
In the eye, the retina (the wallpaper of the eye) develops small dilated blood vessels called micro aneurysms. These blood vessels leak into the surrounding retina and into the macula, where reading vision comes to a focus. Over time, this leads to a gradual distortion and loss of reading capacity.
In addition, sudden loss of vision can occur when new blood vessels form and then start bleeding into the jelly of the eye. If a person with diabetes sees sudden onset of floaters or cobwebs, they should seek immediate medical attention with an ophthalmologist.
Treatment
Generally, if diabetic eye disease is detected early, laser treatment is effective. Some newer medications like Avastin and Lucentis can be injected into the eye to control bleeding and leakage. With early detection and treatment, diabetics need not lose their vision permanently.
When should you get checked?
Patients with type 2 diabetes should have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist at the time of diagnosis. If there is no change in the retina, the patient can then have annual eye exams to monitor changes. However, if changes are already present, a patient may need to have eye exams more often in case laser treatment becomes necessary. Younger patients with type 1 diabetes should be examined at initial diagnosis and then at least every other year.
If a diabetic’s blood sugar is poorly controlled and fluctuates, eyeglasses will not work because the power of the eye will change constantly. It is important diabetics monitor their blood sugar daily, follow their doctor’s advice regarding medications, and see a nutritionist about balancing diet and exercise.
Rajiv Anand, MD, MS, FRCS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained retina specialist with Texas Retina Associates. Texas Retina Associates has 14 offices throughout the state, including Dallas and Grapevine, and 17 retina-fellowship-trained physicians who focus specifically on the diagnosis and medical and surgical management of diseases of the retina and vitreous. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-695-6941 or for more information, visit www.texasretina.com.
