Unfortunately, diabetes doesn't just affect your pancreas. If you have high, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, several other parts of your body may feel the effects, such as your heart and kidneys. Additionally, eye doctors frequently see diabetic patients who suffer from vision deficits and eye problems. Therefore, an eye doctor will stress the importance of routine visits if you have diabetes.
Cataracts
Cataracts are an issue that causes clouding over the lens of your eye. Typically, a normal lens is clear. Because a person with cataracts has a clouding over their eyes, they may feel like they're looking through a fogged window. It's possible to only have a small spot of clouding, but many times, cataracts progress. Once too much of the lens is clouded, your vision may be limited, and the only correction option is a cataract-removal surgery.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when uncontrolled blood sugar levels cause issues with your retina -- the light sensitive tissue in the back of your eye. In particular, this condition affects the blood vessels in the retina. As a result, your blood vessels may leak fluid or possibly form irregular blood vessels.
Not everyone develops symptoms immediately as this is occurring, although it can affect your vision. When it goes undetected and worsens or you don't receive care in the early stages, it may advance and cause blindness. Symptoms you may notice if you have this condition include lines or spots in your vision as well as blurred vision.
Even in the early stages, an eye doctor can detect this problem through a routine eye health examine.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve of your eye. This portion is like a wire that transmits light impulses to your eye, so you're able to process what you see. Sometimes, pressure builds up inside of your eye and causes your optic nerve to malfunction.
In many cases, you won't experience any symptoms of glaucoma. However, you may notice a loss of vision, usually with your peripheral vision. It could affect other areas of your field of vision, though. Some patients experience headaches, blurred vision, or eye aches from glaucoma. Additionally, seeing halos around lights is a sign of diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Your macula is part of your retina. You need it to perform tasks like driving and reading. Even being able to see the details on someone's face requires your macula. Unfortunately, if you have diabetes, your retina may swell and cause a condition known as macular edema. When diabetic macular edema happens, your vision may not be as clear as it once was. You may lose all or part of your vision. It can affect the sharpness of your sight as well. Unfortunately, your risk of diabetic macular edema increases when you have diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetes, in particular uncontrolled or under-controlled diabetes, affects your vision in many ways. It can damage different portions of your eye and eventually lead to blindness. An optometrist advises patients with diabetes to receive a yearly eye exam. Sometimes, it's more frequent depending on your situation.
Sources :-
