Vision problems are one of the most common complications of diabetes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely he will develop a complication with his eyes. Although total blindness is rare and occurs in less than 2% of diabetics, the Diabetes Network recommends a yearly eye exam for successful diagnosis and treatment of complications associated with diabetic eye disease.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye problem in diabetics. Retinopathy is the weakening of blood vessels in the eye and is dangerous because the associated weakening may cause the vessels to become blocked, leak or break open.
The National Eye Institute notes that almost half of people with diabetes have some form of retinopathy. There are different facets of retinopathy and ways in which the weakened blood vessels cause complications. Common symptoms of most diabetic retinopathies include blurry or double vision, flashing lights, floating or dark spots, and pain.
Macular Edema
The macula is the central part of the retina. Edema, or swelling, of the macula occurs in diabetics when fluid leaks from the blood vessels located in the macula. According to the Diabetes Self Management website, blurry vision is a common symptom of swelling in the macula. Macular edema is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medication.
Vitreous Tear or Hemorrhage
The vitreous is a transparent gel that fills the inside of the eye in the same way that air fills a balloon. Diabetes sometimes causes blood to leak into the gel, creating cloudy vision. The cloudiness may clear up on its own, but in some cases the blood has to be surgically removed with a procedure called a vitrectomy.
Complications from diabetes can also cause the back part of the vitreous to pull away from the retina, causing a vitreous detachment. When the vitreous comes away from the back of the eye, it pulls on the retina. A sudden flash of light in the corner of the eye is a common sign of vitreous detachment. Floating spots or a web-like distortion may also be seen. Vitreous detachment usually resolves by itself within a few weeks, although a person may notice tiny pieces of floating debris in her vision for several months.
Catarcts and Glaucoma
Cataracts occur when the crystaline lens inside the eye becomes cloudy and causes blurry vision. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataracts and glaucoma, an elevated pressure inside the eye. Cataract surgery is a common procedure done to replace a cloudy lens with an interocular lens (IOL). Glaucoma is treated with drugs, lasers, or surgery.
