Diabetes is a chronic condition that arises from the body's inability to regulate blood sugar and can affect various organ systems over time. Among the affected structures are the eyes. Known as diabetes in the eye, diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that develops due to diabetes. It is characterized by vascular disturbances in the retinal layer and can seriously threaten vision function over time.
Why Does Diabetes in the Eye Occur?
Diabetes in the eye occurs due to damage to the blood vessels in the retinal layer, caused by diabetes, and can progress over time. The retina enables the perception of light, facilitating vision. High blood sugar levels can lead to weakening, enlargement, leaking, or blockage of small blood vessels in the retina.
As these vessels become damaged over time, bleeding, fluid accumulation, the formation of new but unhealthy vessels, and degeneration of the nerve layer can occur within the eye. These changes can lead to a significant decrease in visual clarity and permanent damage.
If not diagnosed and treated early, this condition, which can cause vision loss, can be managed through regular eye examinations.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?
Diabetes affects the entire vascular system in the body, including the capillaries in the eyes. High blood sugar levels cause changes in the blood vessel walls, which can create disruptions in the retina. The disturbed vascular structure hinders the adequate delivery of oxygen to the retinal cells, leading to their loss of function and impaired vision.
As weakening occurs in the blood vessel walls:
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Bleeding,
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Fluid leaks,
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Formation of new vessels,
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Intraocular hemorrhages and retinal detachment may occur.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes in the Eye?
Diabetic eye diseases progress silently. Patients may not notice any symptoms for a long time. However, as the disease continues to advance, various symptoms begin to appear. Symptoms include:
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Blurred vision: Due to edema in the retinal layer, sharpness in the field of vision may be lost.
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Dark areas in vision: Blind spots may begin to form in non-central areas.
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Floating spots in front of the eyes: Small spots may become visible due to bleeding within the eye.
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Flashes of light and sudden vision loss: These may be indicative of retinal tears or detachment.
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Difficulty distinguishing colors: Difficulty in distinguishing colors may develop due to the degeneration of retinal cells.
What Are the Eye Diseases Related to Diabetes?
Diabetes does not only affect the retina but also various structures within the eye. High blood sugar levels can lead to disturbances over time in the blood vessels, lens, nerves, and structures that maintain fluid balance within the eye. This condition facilitates the development of various eye diseases. The most common eye diseases associated with diabetes are:
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs due to the damage of capillaries that nourish the retinal layer over time and is a common eye problem related to diabetes. As the disease progresses, bleeding, leakage, and formation of new vessels occur on the surface of the retina. This condition disrupts the structural integrity of the retina and directly affects visual function.
Diabetic Macular Edema
The macula is the central point of the eye that enables sharp and detailed vision. Diabetic macular edema may develop due to fluid accumulation in the macular region as a result of leaking vessels in the retina. This condition particularly affects near vision.
Cataract
Inside the eye, there is a natural lens that allows light to refract. The loss of transparency of this lens is termed cataract. Diabetes accelerates this process, causing it to occur at younger ages.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the eye nerve and tends to be more frequent in individuals with diabetes. Diabetes can particularly trigger an aggressive form called neovascular glaucoma. In this situation, lack of oxygen to the retina may cause the formation of new vessels that block eye drainage, leading to increased pressure.
Who Is More Likely to Experience Diabetes in the Eye?
Diabetes in the eye, also known as diabetic retinopathy, is more common in individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, not every diabetic patient experiences eye problems. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is higher in the following groups:
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Those with a long duration of diabetes
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Those with irregular blood sugar levels
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Individuals with additional diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia
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Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy
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Smokers
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Individuals with a family history of diabetes-related eye disease
In these groups, the effects on the retina can occur at a younger age and be more severe.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Diabetes in the Eye?
Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is crucial, and treatment methods may vary depending on the stage. In mild and moderate nonproliferative retinopathy, treatment may not be necessary; however, it is important to keep diabetes under control.
The main methods of retinopathy treatment include:
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Injection therapy: Injections are often used in retinopathy treatment. Medications injected into the eye can help prevent the formation of new blood vessels in the retina and can also prevent fluid accumulation in cases of macular edema.
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Laser treatment: Laser treatment is one of the frequently used methods in retinopathy treatment. During this treatment, local anesthetic drops are used to numb the eyes, and laser beams focus on abnormal blood vessels to shrink them, stopping blood and fluid leaks.
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Vitrectomy surgery: Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to the progression of retinopathy and result in hemorrhage in the intraocular fluid. In this case, a surgical intervention called vitrectomy is performed to remove the vitreous gel, which has lost its transparency, from the retina. The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia.
It is vital for diabetic patients to have regular eye examinations and adopt dietary habits that help control blood sugar to prevent vision loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does diabetes in the eye present symptoms?
Diabetes in the eye may not initially present symptoms, leading many individuals to become aware of the condition at a later stage. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as blurred vision, a feeling of darkness or void in the visual field, flashes of light, and seeing colors as faded may appear.
Does diabetes cause blurred vision?
Yes, vascular damage due to diabetes and retinal edema can lead to blurred vision, especially affecting central vision. This condition can be temporary at times or result in permanent damage.
Does every diabetic patient develop eye problems?
No, however, individuals with a long duration of diabetes, inadequate blood sugar control, and other systemic diseases have a significantly increased risk of developing eye diseases. Regular follow-up and healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce this risk.
Is eye check-up needed even if there are no symptoms?
Yes. Diabetic retinopathy can progress for a long time without symptoms, making it important for individuals diagnosed with diabetes to undergo regular eye fundus examinations even in the absence of symptoms.