DIABETIC EYE DISEASE

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can affect people with diabetes. Common disease conditions are:

(a) Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy affects changes to retinal blood vessels that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid which can affect vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.

(b)Cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. Adults with diabetes are 2-5 times more likely than those without diabetes to develop cataract. Cataract also tends to develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes.

(c) Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve (the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the eye to the brain is known as optic nerve) due to elevated pressure inside the eye. Patient having diabetes nearly doubles the risk of glaucoma compared to normal individual.

All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.

Controlling diabetes—by taking appropriate medicines as prescribed, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet—can prevent or delay vision loss.

Because diabetic eye problems often goes unnoticed until vision loss occurs, people with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.

Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care of diabetic eye disease can protect against vision loss.