HIGH BLOOD SUGAR CAN EFFECT YOUR EYESIGHT
it is very important for your body to rest and is essential to regaining control of your health.
Your eye has a lens and an aperture (opening) at the front, which brings objects into focus on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is made up of a delicate tissue that is sensitive to light, like film in the old cameras. At the center of the retina is the macula which is a small area about the size of a pinhead. This is the most highly specialized part of the retina and it is vital because it enables us to see fine detail to read small print. The other parts of the retina give us side vision (peripheral vision). The rest of the eye in front of the retina is a clear jelly-like substance called the vitreous humour.
Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways. These usually involve the fine network of blood vessels in the retina - the most sever condition that can occur is diabetic retinopathy.
Blurring Vision
Your vision may become blurred for a few days or weeks while your diabetes is first being controlled. This is due to the swelling of the lens of the eye.
Cataract
This can occur in two forms: Young people with diabetes can develop a special type of cataract. Although their vision gets worse, it can be restored by surgery; older people with diabetes can be especially prone to developing cataracts. Cataracts can be successfully removed by surgery and usually it is possible to insert a lens implant. This procedure is not for everyone.
Diabetic retinopathy
The most serious diabetic eye condition involves the retina and is called diabetic retinopathy. This condition is very common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. Your doctor may be able to see abnormalities in your eyes, but there is no threat to your sight.
There are two types of diabetic retinopathy which can damage your sight. Both involve the fine network of blood vessels in the retina. They are described below.
Maculopathy: This happens when the blood vessels in the retina start to leak. If the macula is affected, you will find that your central vision gradually gets worse. You may find it difficult to recognize people's faces in the distance or to see details like small print. The amount of central vision that is lost varies from person to person. However everyday sight for getting around the house and outside (navigation vision) will be preserved. It is quite rare for someone with maculopathy to lose all their sight.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: Sometimes diabetes can cause the blood vessels in the retina to become blocked. If this happens then new blood vessels form in the eye. This is nature's way of trying to repair the damage so that the retina has a new blood supply.
Unfortunately these new blood vessels are weak. They are also in the wrong place - growing on the surface of the retina and into the vitreous jelly. As a result these blood vessels can bleed very easily and cause scar tissue to form in the eye. The scarring pulls and distorts the retina. When the retina is pulled out of position this is called retinal detachment. This condition is more rare than background retinopathy and is more often found in people who have been insulin dependent for many years. The new blood vessels will rarely affect your vision, but their consequences, such as bleeding or retinal detachment can cause your vision to get worse suddenly.
Your eyesight may become blurred and patchy as the bleeding obscures part of your vision. Without treatment, total loss of vision can happen in proliferative retinopathy.
With treatment most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be prevented if caught early enough.
Lower blood sugar will help you preventing and treat diabetic retinopathy
Although your vision may be good, changes can be taking place to your retina that needs treatment. Most sight loss in diabetes is preventable: early diagnosis is vital have an eye examination every year do not wait until your vision has deteriorated to have an eye test.
Your family doctor or optometrist can examine for diabetic retinopathy.
Remember, however, that if your vision is getting worse, this does not necessarily mean you have diabetic retinopathy. It may simply be a problem that can be corrected by glasses.
