Educational Publications
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Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation International Educational Publications |
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No one knows exactly how diabetes causes damage to the eyes, but there's no doubt about this fact: people with diabetes are at an increased risk of visual impairment, and even blindness. The longer a person has had diabetes, the greater the risk.
Fortunately, we are living in a time when major medical progress makes it possible to prevent, reduce or repair damage to the eyes caused by diabetes. This brochure will tell you about the latest developments in detecting and treating diabetic eye problems. You will also see that, as with all of the complications of diabetes, self-care and regular medical checkups are the cornerstone of prevention, but not a guarantee. Remember:
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye condition related to diabetes—-and the most serious.
It occurs when the retina, a thin, light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye and transmits visual images to the brain via the optic nerve, is damaged by the deterioration of small blood vessels that supply the retina with vital oxygen and nutrients. The extend and nature of diabetic retinopathy varies from person to person.
Background Retinopathy (Non-proliferative retinopathy)
Background retinopathy is the earliest stage of this disease, and
the mildest form.
At this stage, retinal capillaries become clogged and swollen, forming balloon-like sacs that leak fluids into the retina and cause swelling.
For the vast majority of people with diabetes (80 percent), retinopathy never progresses beyond the background stage—many won't notice any change at all in their vision.
Macular Edema (Diabetic Maculopathy)
In some cases, however, the leaking fluid from the capillaries
will pool in the most sensitive part of the retina-—the macula.
The macula is the center of the retina, and is responsible both
for the fine vision used in reading, and for color vision.
People with macular edema may experience any or all of the following:
Macular edema rarely causes total blindness.
Proliferative Retinopathy
This is the most advanced form of diabetic retinopathy which can
and does cause blindness.
In proliferative retinopathy, new blood vessels begin to sprout on the retina or optic nerve. This is called neovascularization. The new blood vessels are fragile, and hemorrhage easily. The blood which spills from the weakened vessels may prevent light from hitting the retina, abruptly blocking vision. Scar tissue that forms near the retina may tug on the retina, detaching it from its normal position at the back of the eye.
When the retina becomes detached, a person experiences severe loss of vision, or even blindness.
Eye Examinations Are A Must
In the early stages of retinopathy, there may be no symptoms to
indicate its presence. For any person with diabetes, annual
eye examinations by an ophthalmologist are absolutely essential.
If retinopathy is detected, more frequent checkups may be
necessary.
Report Any Changes in Vision to Your Doctor
Although the following symptoms do not necessarily indicate
diabetic retinopathy, they should nevertheless be reported
promptly to your doctor:
While no single symptom confirms the presence of retinopathy, your doctor is the best one to evaluate its significance.
Since the early 1970's, tremendous strides have been made in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The most important breakthrough was the discovery that lasers can reduce the risk of visual loss caused by retinopathy.
Laser Photocoagulation
This form of treatment has been proven to reduce the chance of
severe visual loss by 60 percent in people with retinopathy.
Laser treatment is also used for diabetic macular edema (described earlier). Here, the laser seals the blood vessels that are leaking fluids in the macula. After the leaks are "welded," the body reabsorbs the fluids, and vision may improve.
The patient sits in a chair and is given a drop of anesthetic in the eye to be treated. Once the surgeon has identified the exact spots where treatment is needed, he uses a foot pedal to direct the laser beam at the retina. The patient sees a brief flash of light. This process is repeated many times. Treatment usually lasts less than half an hour, and initial treatments for proliferative retinopathy usually include three sessions per eye.
Vitrectomy
Despite the success of laser photocoagulation, some people with
diabetic retinopathy suffer vitreous hemorrhages, massive
bleeding into the vitreous—the normally clear gel that fills
the center of the eye. When the vitreous is clouded by blood and
scar tissue, blindness may result.
Today, new surgical techniques have make it possible to remove blood and scar tissue from that part of the eye through a process called vitrectomy. This surgery cleans up the vitreous and makes the area transparent again to that light can get through to the retina.
Vitrectomy is a complex microsurgical procedure requiring general anesthesia and a two-hour operation. Following vitrectomy, many patients have improved vision—some even well enough to read or drive again.
Retinopathy is a real and serious potential complication to every person with diabetes. To ensure everything possible is being done to prevent eye damage, follow these guidelines:
Control Blood Sugar Levels
People who have difficulty controlling blood glucose levels are
at an increased risk of experiencing eye problems. So test blood
sugar frequently, and make sure your diabetes management plan is
designed for maximum control.
Another Reason Not to Smoke
Diabetes is particularly damaging to small blood vessels.
Smoking, which constricts blood vessels, increases circulatory
problems which may make diabetic eye disease more severe.
Beware of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure also contributes to diabetic eye damage by
increasing stress on already fragile blood vessels in the eye. Be
sure to have your blood pressure checked frequently.
Pregnancy and Eye Care
Pregnancy is known to be a factor in the development of diabetic
eye complications. Pregnant women with diabetes should therefore
pay particular attention to monitoring their vision—and
schedule more frequent visits to the ophthalmologist.
Have Your Eyes Checked Each Year
Make sure your doctor or ophthalmologist thoroughly examines your
eyes at least once a year. Remember, changes can happen in yours
eyes without any noticeable symptoms. Early detection make a big
difference in preventing progressive damage.
Cataracts
A common problem for older people is cataracts. Cataracts, the
clouding of the lens of the eye, interferes with vision by
blocking the passage of light rays to the back of the eye. This
occurs more often—and at an earlier age—in people with
diabetes. In addition, diabetics experience complications from
cataract surgery more often than non-diabetic patients.
Copyright © 1996 Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation International. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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CURE, 1-800-JDF-CURE and 1-800-WALK-JDF are Trademarks and
Service marks of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International.
E-mail comments to info@jdfcure.com
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