Published: October 25, 2005 12:45 am            

Eye disorders are common in people with diabetes

Judy Rupp commentary



Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, affecting the way the body processes carbohydrates. Yet, every diabetic should know an eye doctor is a crucial member of his or her treatment team.

Eye disorders-- diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and macular edema -- are among the most serious complications of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness in the United States.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: The most common eye complication affects the retina. The earliest or mildest effect of diabetes, known as background (or non-proliferative) retinopathy occurs in some patients even before diabetes is diagnosed.

For the patient, early signs of retinopathy include floaters, dark spots or brief flashes or streaks of light. Often the patient notices nothing until the disease is detected on an eye examination.

PROFILERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: Only a small number of diabetics develop this severe form of retinopathy.

DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA: The macula is the central part of the retina that is critical to the eye's ability to form sharp, detailed images. When clear fluid leaks from damaged blood vessels and causes edema (swelling) of this part of the retina, the result is severe blurring of vision and potentially more serious problems.

FLUCTUATION OF VISION: When blood sugar levels are high enough, the lens of the eye can swell and cause progressively blurry vision until blood sugar is brought under control.

CATARACTS: A cataract is a clouding of the usually clear lens inside the eye. Diabetics are more likely than others to get cataracts.

GLAUCOMA: A disorder involving increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve and threatens vision.

Even the most serious of these problems can be treated. For retinopathy or macular edema, a doctor can use a laser to seal off leaking blood vessels and inhibit the formation of new blood vessels.

Early detection is crucial. Without treatment, about half of patients with proliferative retinopathy will become blind within five years while only 5 percent of those getting laser treatments will lose their vision.

The potential complications of diabetes are numerous, and most are associated with the damage the disease can cause to blood vessels, large and small, throughout the body.

A look by a specialist inside your eye may be an early way of heading off problems in your eyes and throughout your body.



Rupp is information and assistance case manager with the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority Area Agency on Aging.