Diabetic? Three reasons why it is important to take your eye health seriously.
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease both in Australia and around the world. In Australia alone 1.7 million people live with diabetes and this number is growing by about 100,000 every year. While most of us know the health impacts of diabetes are serious and wide ranging, many of us don’t always consider the impact the disease has on our eyes. Worryingly, diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in Australia. So how exactly does diabetes affect our eye health?
- Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye, called the retina. A major risk factor for developing diabetic retinopathy is having poorly controlled blood sugar levels so it is important to maintain healthy glucose levels through diet as well as any medication prescribed by your doctor.
- Cataract
Cataracts form when the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded and are a common occurrence as we age. However, diabetics are 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts and are also at greater risk of them developing earlier and progressing faster. This is thought to be due to excess levels of sorbitol (a sugar formed from glucose), which form deposits within the lens.
- Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when there is increased pressure in the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve and resulting in vision loss if left untreated. While glaucoma can occur for a number of different reasons including age, ethnicity and genetics; people with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to suffer from glaucoma than those without the disease.
Why is it important to have regular eye exams if you are diabetic?
In most cases, the early stages of diabetic retinopathy have few or no obvious symptoms and often the retina can be badly damaged before you notice any major changes in your vision. This is why it is critical to maintain regular appointments with your optometrist if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. On top of your normal eye health appointments, it is important to let your optometrist or doctor know immediately if you experience any changes in vision such as:
-Black spots
-Flashes of light
-Pain
-Blurred vision
In many cases early intervention can help prevent vision loss and blindness so the sooner you have your eyes checked the better.
At the Northern Eye Centre, our staff have years of experience with diagnosing diabetes-related eye disease and can offer advice on the treatment options available. If you or a family member have been diagnosed with diabetes and would like advice, our clinics are located in the Melbourne suburbs of Heidelberg and Epping. Please call 9459 5133 for more information or to make an appointment.