Patients suffering from diabetes are likely to be susceptible to other kinds of diseases as well. Out of these, eye related problems are the most common. It is advised for any patient suffering from diabetes to go on regular visits to their doctor for eye checkups in order to avoid any eye related diseases as a result of diabetes.

Cataracts

Cataracts are the clouding of the eye over the usually clear lens of the eye. Cataracts are a fairly common eye disease that usually occurs with age. Diabetics however are more likely to contract this disease t an earlier age with a higher rate of progression. It hinders the ability to focus and impairs vision. Blurred or glared vision is also commonly found among diabetics suffering from Cataracts.

Glaucoma

Another Diabetic eye disease, glaucoma occurs when the fluid in the eye isn’t drained properly and results in an increase amount of pressure within the eye. This increase in pressure has a negative impact on the nerves and blood vessels and can potentially damage them. Glaucoma is usually treated by decreasing the amount of pressure within the eye by draining the fluid that has accumulated within or by decreasing the rate of production. Both these objectives are achieved by administering medication. Diabetics need to take extra care when it comes to glaucoma because it shows virtually no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. Symptoms to look out for include headaches, pain, and aches within the eye, blurred vision, halos around lights, vision loss and watery eyes.

When it comes to diabetics, they are more likely to contract a more uncommon form of glaucoma such as neovascular glaucoma. This causes new blood vessels to appear around the iris of the eye. These blood vessels become obstructions in the blood flow to and from the eye. The increase in pressure within the eyes, results in vision loss. This kind of glaucoma is difficult to treat and needs a more direct approach than regular medication. One option is to treat it using laser eye surgery to reduce the number of vessels within the eye.

Diabetic Retinopathy

The most common forms of diabetic eye problems, diabetic retinopathy is exclusive to individuals suffering from diabetes. This occurs when the small blood vessels in the eye get damaged. This condition is called a ‘microvascular complication’. Studies show that this phenomenon is related to an increased blood sugar level. Diabetics are advised to keep their blood sugar in control and to get regular checkups in order to avoid Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to irreversible blindness and is known as the number one cause of blindness in industrial countries. The risk increases with the duration of the illness. This means that as you age, the risk of contracting Diabetic retinopathy increases as well. This is why early detection is crucial in order to catch and treat it in time. Although the risk of diabetic eye diseases keeps increasing as time progresses, it is rare for a recent diabetic to contract it, especially within the first 5 years.