Diabetes is a medical condition resulting from an abnormal insulin response by the body, which leads to uncontrolled levels of sugar within the blood. Almost 8 percent of the population within the United States has some form of diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even if you have your diabetes under control, you may develop a number of eye complications as a result.
Glaucoma
According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma than those who don't have this medical condition. Glaucoma is a medical condition that results in increased pressure within the eyes. This pressure may lead to pinched blood vessels or fluid blockage within the eye, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. This causes damage to the optic nerve and the retina, which may lead to blindness. Treatment for glaucoma involves medication and surgical intervention.
Cataracts
People with diabetes are 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts when compared to those who don't have this disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. The National Eye Institute (NEI) notes that the development of cataracts may lead to symptoms, including blurred or double vision or poor night vision. Additional symptoms may include an increase in the frequency of prescription changes for your contact lenses or eyeglasses. If updating your eye care prescription doesn't alleviate symptoms, consider surgical cataract treatment.
Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, you may be at an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are two major types of retinopathy: nonproliferative and proliferative. Nonproliferative retinopathy, the most common form of diabetic retinopathy, causes expansion of the blood capillaries within the back portion of the eye. When this occurs, fluid may leak into certain parts of the eye--a condition called macula edema--which may lead to blurry vision or blindness. Proliferative retinopathy leads to significant damage to blood vessels within the eyes. In response to this damage, new, weaker blood vessels begin to grow. According to the NEI, this may cause bleeding within the eyes. The damaged blood vessels may also lead to the accumulation of scar tissue within the eye, which can cause retinal problems such as retinal detachment. If left untreated, server vision loss or blindness may occur in some people. If you are diabetic and develop any type of vision problems, contact your eye care professional as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.
