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Preventing Eye Complications in Patients with Diabetes
Written by Lindsay Covert, Pharm D. Candidate, West Virginia University
If you have diabetes, your body does not use sugar like it should. While your car needs gasoline to run, your body needs sugar for energy. However, too much sugar in your blood can cause damage throughout your body, including your eyes.
Just having type 1 or type 2 diabetes puts you at risk for eye complications. The longer you have diabetes the more likely it is you will develop these complications, which may include:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
A cataract is cloudiness that develops in the front of the eye. Cataracts are twice as likely to develop in someone with diabetes than in someone without diabetes. Glaucoma is also more common in people with diabetes. Glaucoma occurs when pressure within the eye increases. The most common and most serious eye complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. “Retinopathy” is a medical term for damage to the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye. These blood vessels are often damaged over time as a result of high blood sugar levels. Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. About half of people with diabetes have some degree of retinopathy. It is important to know the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and to contact your doctor right away if you develop any of the symptoms. Symptoms may include:
- Tiny specks floating in your vision
- Dark streaks or a red film that blocks vision
- Vision loss or blurred vision
- A dark spot in the center of your vision
- Poor night vision
- Difficulty switching from bright light to dim light
If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice any pain or changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. The thought of blindness can be scary. But with early detection and treatment, the risk of severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is small.
You can take steps to protect your sight if you have diabetes. These steps include:
- Get a yearly eye exam. The National Eye Institute recommends that if you have diabetes you should receive a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. If you already have diabetic retinopathy, you may need an eye exam more often. Patients with type 1 diabetes who are >10 years old should have their first comprehensive eye exam within 3-5 years after diagnosis, and patients with type 2 diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam at time of diagnosis with yearly follow-up. Every pregnant woman with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. Your doctor may recommend additional exams during pregnancy.
- Control your blood sugar. Tight control of blood sugar slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and may decrease the need for surgery. Keeping blood sugar levels close to normal also decreases your risk for kidney and nerve damage. Talk to your doctor, endocrinologist, or diabetes educator about the best blood sugar control goals for you. Tips to help control your blood sugar include following a healthy eating plan, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, taking medications on time, and monitoring blood sugar levels regularly.
- Stop smoking. Besides contributing to diabetic retinopathy, tobacco products are known to cause cancer, have negative effects on blood pressure, and result in decreased lung function over time.
- Do not ignore vision changes. Be alert to any sudden changes in your vision. Have your eyes checked promptly if you think your vision has changed, or if your vision becomes blurry, spotty, or hazy.
- Reduce your blood pressure. Tight blood pressure control has been shown to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes keep their blood pressure below 130/80.
- Reduce your cholesterol. This will not only help protect your eyes, but will also keep your heart healthier and stronger.
Do not wait for symptoms to occur. Every year, have your eye doctor perform a dilated eye exam to check for early stages of diabetic retinopathy and other eye complications. Remember, early detection and treatment is important in keeping your eyes healthy. Stay informed about the best ways to manage your diabetes. Your Rite Aid Pharmacist is available to help you.
