Diabetes and the Eye
What is Diabetes?
A. Diabetes is an endocrine disorder in whch the ability of the body to digest sugar goes down. This causes blood sugar levels to go up. Excess sugar gets deposited in the various tissues of the body. Over a period of time this causes the blood vessels to behave differently. These vessels have a tendency to bleed or to stop blood flow.
Q. What organs are affected?
A. Diabetes affects all blood vessels in all parts of the body, but the eyes, kidneys, nerves, muscles, brain etc., are more commonly affected.
Q. When does this happen?
A. If diabetes is controlled this happens slowly & over a long period of time. If diabetes is not controlled it may happen as early as 2-3 years.
Q. How is the eye affected?
A. Cataract, glaucoma, rapidly changing glass no., retinopathy etc., are some of the commonly occurring complications.
Q. If my sugar is controlled will I still get these complications?
A. Yes, but to a limited extent & over a period of time.
Q. How can I prevent it?
A. Repeated check-up by a qualified ophthalmic surgeon is a must. If detected recently than yearly check-up is enough. If complications have set in than let your surgeon decide follow-up.
Q. Can we treat these complications?
A. Yes, we can control these to such an extent that your day-to-day life is not affected. Cataract if advanced will require surgery. Glaucoma will require medication & surgery as the need be. The amount of damage by Retinopathy is detected by angiography. Laser therapy is done to control these leaking vessels. If blood has collected in the eye or if there is detachment of retina, surgery is required.
Q. Is a single sitting of laser enough?
A. A. May not be. Depending on the amount of retinopathy an average 2-3 sitting are required. If required the laser may have to be repeated again as & when required.
Q. Is the damage done by diabetes permanent?
A. Yes, laser & when required surgery is only meant to control the complications & not to halt the disease process.
" Prevention is better than cure.
Control of diabetes, a must, always. "
Eye Care - Patient Education