Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or the body is unable to process it properly. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood and is deficient in diabetic patients. Diabetes can affect children and adults, and can cause eye disease if not treated and well-controlled.
Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma, but the diabetic effect on the retina is the main threat to vision. Most patients develop diabetic changes in the retina after approximately 20 years. The effect of diabetes on the eye is called diabetic retinopathy.
Over many years, small blood vessels weaken and cause bleeding and edema in the retina. The earliest phase of the disease is known as background diabetic retinopathy. In this phase, the arteries in the retina become weakened and leak, forming small, dot-like hemorrhages. These leaking vessels often lead to swelling or edema in the retina and decreased vision.
The next stage is known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In this stage, circulation problems cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived or ischemic. New, fragile vessels develop as the circulatory system attempts to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the retina, and these vessels tend to bleed easily. Blood may leak into the retina and vitreous, causing spots or floaters, along with severely decreased vision.
In the later phases of the disease, continued abnormal vessel growth and scar tissue may cause serious problems such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.
The effect of diabetic retinopathy on vision varies widely, depending on the stage of the disease. Some common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are listed below, however, diabetes may cause other eye symptoms, such as:
The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is made following a detailed examination of the retina.
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy is performed using an Argon laser, applying small to medium-sized spots in the retina to stop leakage and prevent further bleeding.
All diabetics should have yearly eye exams with dilation to detect and monitor diabetic retinopathy and to prevent complications that can lead to blindness.
If you have diabetes and are concerned about the health of your eyes, we encourage you to call our Pinole office at (510) 724-8100 or our Oakland office at (510) 655-6626 to schedule your eye exam. With two locations within miles of San Francisco and Berkeley, Dr. Breaux is easily accessible to answer all your questions about how diabetes can affect your eyes.
