Blindness and No Early Warning Signs: Diabetic Eye Disease

 Blindness and No Early Warning Signs: Diabetic Eye Disease

Preventing Vision Loss Through Regular Checkups

The ARA - Diabetic eye disease is a major public health concern. The National Eye Institute (NEI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is run by the federal government, reports that diabetic eye disease can cause up to 25,000 new cases of blindness annually, and that the risk of blindness is 25 times higher in people with diabetes compared to those without the disease.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most prevalent type of diabetic eye disease and the main cause of adult blindness in the United States. It affects about half of the estimated 16 million people living with diabetes. In diabetic retinopathy, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye—the retina—has its small blood vessels damaged.

There are no pain or other early warning signs of the condition, and it may take a long time for the eyesight to alter before the disease gets bad. "This is one of the most frightening things about diabetic eye disease," remarks Dr. Paul Sieving of NEI. "People with diabetic eye disease do not realize that their eyesight is slowly deteriorating."

In the early stages of diabetic eye illness, a dilated eye exam is the sole method of diagnosis. During a dilated eye exam, the patient's pupils are enlarged with the use of eye drops. This allows the eye care professional to examine a larger area of the eye, making it easier to detect any symptoms of disease. It is imperative that people with diabetes prioritize yearly dilated eye exams. Disregarding the significance of a yearly eye exam may cause complications down the road when diabetes starts to impact one's vision.

Diabetic vision loss is irreversible. However, early diagnosis of diabetic eye illness, laser surgery where necessary, and proper follow-up has maintained vision in over 90% of those who would have otherwise been blind. Swelling of the diabetic retinopathy-related aberrant blood vessels can be addressed with laser surgery.

"Diabetic retinopathy is more likely to occur the longer a person has diabetes," says Sieving. But research shows that diabetic retinopathy can be delayed and laser treatment can be avoided if blood sugar levels are kept as normal as feasible. This has the potential to lessen the likelihood of kidney disease, stroke, and nerve damage, among other illness-related problems.

Diabetes also increases the likelihood of developing other eye disorders. People with diabetes had an earlier onset of cataracts and are twice as likely to get the disease as those without it, according to studies. Another potential issue is glaucoma. Glaucoma is almost twice as common in those with diabetes as it is in the general adult population. Glaucoma risk increases with duration of diabetes, similar to diabetic retinopathy.

To better understand diabetic eye illness, a lot of research is being conducted. As an example, various laboratory and patient-based research projects are being funded by the National Eye Institute to better understand the causes and treatment options for diabetic retinopathy. More patients with diabetes will not go blind as a result of this study's improved methods of detecting and treating diabetic eye disease.

To obtain a complimentary pamphlet titled "Don't Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease," one can send a letter to Diabetic Eye Disease, 2020 Vision Place, Bethesda, MD—20892-3655. For more information about diabetic retinopathy, see the National Eye Institute's website at www.nei.nih.gov/health/index.htm.

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