When Diabetes Becomes a Threat to Your Eye Health
- Posted on: Jun 19 2015
Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes are in danger of contracting a number of other health related issues. One of these issues that can have a severe impact on your life is diabetic eye disease.
Different Types of Diabetic Eye Diseases
- Diabetic retinopathy: This condition is a result of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. As the name suggests, this disease attacks your retina. Diabetic retinopathy is a very common diabetic eye disease and can be classified into two categories: non-proliferative and proliferative. The former is the initial stage of the disease. Blood vessels get damaged and start leaking, which causes the retinas to swell. Straight lines will no longer appear straight and vision often becomes blurred. In the second stage (proliferative), you may experience bleeding and scarring in the eye as well as retinal detachment. If left untreated, you may even become blind.
- Cataracts: Diabetes increases the risk of developing cataract by almost 60%. While cataracts naturally develop as people age, diabetes can cause cataracts to form earlier and to speed up their progression.
- Glaucoma: Diabetes increases the risk of contracting glaucoma by 40%. Of course, this risk further increases as you age and with the amount of time you have been suffering from diabetes. This disease will damage your optic nerves due to increased pressure in your eyes. Glaucoma can also lead to blindness if it is not given timely medical attention.
- Macular edema: People suffering from proliferative diabetic neuropathy may also suffer from macular edema, which involves swelling of the macula. The macula ensures that your central vision is sharp and straight. However, a swollen macula will cause your central vision to be blurry.
Need Help with Diabetic Eye Problems? Contact Dr. Julia Giyaur
Get in touch with Dr. Giyaur if you want help or information on diabetic eye diseases. We can be found in Brooklyn, New York. You may call us at 1-718-676-6464.
Tagged with: Diabetic Retinopathy, Eye Protection, Eyes
Posted in: Diabetic Eye Disease
