Main Eye Concerns for People with Diabetes
Diabetic complications are the main cause of blindness in American adults. The high blood pressure associated with diabetes has many ill effects on the human body. In your visual system, this higher than average pressure can cause conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
There are usually no early signs or symptoms of these conditions. As a result, having routine diabetic eye exams is the best way to make sure your vision’s always healthy.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Some of the most serious and common diabetic eye diseases involve the retina. As the glucose in your system builds up, it can start to damage the blood vessels in your retina. As these blood vessels get damaged, the blood flow to your retina can become blocked, resulting in diabetic retinopathy.
There are usually few symptoms of early diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms usually only show when your blood vessels are already damaged. If you’re living with diabetes and are experiencing any of these symptoms, come see us immediately:
- Blurred vision
- Dark or empty spots in your vision
- Floaters
- Sudden changes in your vision
- Partial or total vision loss
Diabetes is a serious condition and can lead to vision loss or total blindness very rapidly.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can take your vision away very rapidly and may not show any signs at all until it’s too late. Diabetic retinopathy increases the chance of glaucoma developing.
As diabetic retinopathy damages the blood vessels in your retina, new vessels appear to supply the retina with blood. These vessels are weaker and prone to leaking. Unwanted leaks can block your eye’s drainage system, increasing your intraocular pressure. This condition is called neurovascular glaucoma.
Patients with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma. If you’re feeling sudden symptoms like severe eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, or nausea, contact us immediately. You could be suffering from closed-angle glaucoma. This is a medical emergency, which can lead to total blindness in a matter of hours.
