Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A.
Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.A.
I. Definition:
Diabetes is a disease of the entire body which is characterized by abnormalities of blood sugar control. It can affect all parts of the body. Most commonly it can damage the eyes and cause blindness (diabetic retinopathy),the kidneys and cause renal failure (diabetic nephropathy), and the peripheral nervous system and cause damage to the legs and feet (diabetic neuropathy). Early symptoms of diabetes include polydipsia (increased drinking of water), polyuria (increased urination), fatigue and weight loss.
II. Prevalence:
Currently 14 million Americans have diabetes and 8,000 will go blind from it every year. Type I diabetes does not tend to run in families. Type II diabetes can run in families. People who are obese and have hypertension are at higher risk for developing type II diabetes.
Children with diabetes are for the most part, type I diabetics, which means they are dependent on insulin for control of their blood sugars. Adults may take a pill or inject insulin for control of their diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, the more the risk of visual loss from the diabetes.
III. Diabetes and the Eye:
Diabetics have a 25 x higher risk of becoming blind compared to non-diabetics because of diabetic retinopathy. All diabetics should have a yearly eye exam by an ophthalmologist to screen for this.
Diabetic retinopathy can cause blood vessels to leak and cause swelling of the retina (macular edema). Diabetic retinopathy can also cause abnormal blood vessels to grow on the retina (neovascularization). These abnormal blood vessels can bleed inside the eye and cause floaters (vitreous hemorrhage) or cause scar tissue which can cause a retinal detachment. Diabetics are also at a higher risk for cataracts and glaucoma.
IV. Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy:
All diabetics (type 1, type II, or diet controlled) should have a yearly eye exam with an eye doctor who dilates your pupils. Sometimes a dye test (fluorescein angiogram) must be done to locate the areas of leaking or bleeding.
V. Treatment:
Diabetic retinopathy usually can be treated successfully with laser to prevent progression towards severe visual loss. Many times diabetic patients many not experience symptoms until too late, therefore do not let good vision fool you. Many forms of diabetic retinopathy can be stopped with laser. If a patient has already started to lose vision, it is hard to reverse this vision loss. It is much easier to prevent vision loss from occurring by doing early laser treatment, sometimes even before symptoms start.
VI. Prevention:
1. Control your blood sugars.
2. If you have hypertension, control your blood pressure.
3. Exercise
4. Lose weight if you are overweight
5. Keep up with your yearly eye exams and call your eye doctor
immediately if you notice any problems with your vision.
VII. Summary:
Diabetes can cause blindness, however with proper screening and appropriate laser treatment if necessary, your ophthalmologist can significantly decrease your risk of going blind. If you are diabetic, make sure you have an ophthalmologist that follows you on a regular basis. If you have any questions, the ophthalmologists at Eye Physicians and Surgeons would be happy to answer them for you.
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