Diabetes and vision | Stages and symptoms of retinopathy | What to do
Today we will talk about the fact that, despite the good vision of many people with diabetes, there is a huge risk of developing certain eye diseases. These diseases can lead us to blindness.
What are these diseases? How can one avoid them? In this article, you will learn how diabetes affects our eyes and how to preserve our eyesight.
Diabetes mellitus is very insidious and does not manifest itself for a long time, but it slowly destroys our body. We looked at how to understand that you have diabetes here.
Diabetes and vision
Diabetes can cause serious complications that can lead to complete disability of a person. “What are the complications?” — you ask — “Everything is fine with me: I feel good, I have no pain, and my sugar is within the normal range!”
But the statistics say exactly the opposite: most patients with type 2 diabetes already have some complications when they are diagnosed.
High levels of sugar damage the most vulnerable blood vessels and organs.
Most patients with type 2 diabetes already have some complications when they are diagnosed. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the vessels of the eyes.
Our vision directly depends on blood circulation and the state of blood vessels, capillaries, which saturate the eye with nutrients and oxygen.
Diabetes and vision are interdependent things. Vessels lose their elasticity, become fragile and brittle.
Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the vessels of the eyes.
A logical question may follow: “Why do I need to know all this?” Or: “It is the doctors’ job to identify complications in time and treat me.”
Of course, the work of both an endocrinologist and an ophthalmologist are extremely important. But to be objective, our health, first of all, is necessary for Us.
Retinal vascular changes in diabetes are called retinopathy. The inner lining of the eye that receives the image is the retina. The retina is made up of small, intertwined vessels and has nerve endings that provide the function of vision.
Stages and symptoms of retinopathy
The cause of retinopathy is high sugars for a long time. This lesion leads to scarring and retinal detachment, which cannot be corrected with glasses.
Diabetes mellitus can lead to a more severe disease — cataracts. It can also show up in young patients.
When retinopathy develops, you may experience symptoms such as:
- blurry vision or a feeling of “double vision” in the eyes;
- eyes hurt when reading, difficult to read;
- pain in the eyes, a feeling that the eyes “itch”;
- vision deteriorates in low light or at night;
- red eyes, they are watery or dry;
- feeling of pressure in the eyes;
- distorted vision;
- swelling of the eyes is observed.
Eye disease — retinopathy goes through three stages:
- non-proliferative — develops over several years. This stage is completely reversible with long-term maintenance of normal blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
- preproliferative is the “point of no return”. At this stage, it is already impossible to return to the previous, healthy one. But properly carried out medical measures can slow down the development of the disease.
- proliferative — a period with severe complications. It is at this stage that a complete or partial loss of vision occurs. Eye surgery is required.
The risk group for developing eye problems most often includes:
- patients with high levels of sugars for a long time;
- hypertensive patients;
- patients with renal diseases;
- diabetics with bad habits such as smoking;
- women during the period of bearing a child;
- people with a genetic predisposition;
- patients with a long history of diabetes.
What to do?
In order to prevent the manifestation of complications on the eyes, it is necessary:
- Monitor your blood sugar regularly.
- Monitor blood pressure regularly.
- Adhere to the correct diet recommended by a diabetologist.
- Take vitamins for the eyes.
- Wear sunglasses.
- Avoid eye strain.
- Undergo regular examination by an ophthalmologist.
Subject to all of the above measures, you do not have to be afraid of the development of the disease.
Most importantly, remember that
Diabetes mellitus is not a death sentence. You can preserve your eyesight, avoid surgery and blindness by leading a healthy lifestyle.
And this requires a high level of self-discipline and a lot of desire, so everything is in your hands!