Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic Mellitus is a condition which impairs the body’s ability to use and store sugar.
This can effect the vision by involving various parts of the eye causing DAIBETIc EYE DISEASE
which consists of:
Temporary blurring of vision – with each attack of hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar level)
Cataract – early clouding of the human crystalline lens, needing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.
Glaucoma a condition of increased intraocular pressure needing lifeline medication/surgery.
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) resulting from damage to the blood vessels of the retina. (It is the commonest and the most sight threatening complication of Diabetes).
How common is DR
Nearly 50-80% of all diabetics get DR sometimes in their lifetime.
The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely that he/she will get DR.
Poor control of blood sugar will cause early onset of DR.
How is the Treatment?
Timely treatment by Laser Photocoagulation of the retina is the only method to arrest the progress of the disease, in addition to good control of blood sugar, Blood pressure and smoking.
What can you do to protect your vision?
Successful treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy depends not only on early detection through medical eye examination and treatment by an opthalmologist but also on the patients attitude and attention to medications and diet. It is important to remember that Diabetic Retinopathy may be present without any symptoms.
Early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy is the best protection against loss of vision.
It is a silent killer of sight.
Blindness caused by Diabetic Retinopathy is irresversible in natural (i.e. sight lost is lost forever)
Hence, early diagnostic by periodic dilated eye checking (eye year) is a must.
Laser Photocoagulation of the retina is the only proved treatment for control.
Stop smoking, Good control of Diabetes and Blood Pressure is a must.