Diabetes and your eyes: retinopathy risks

Diabetes can lead to a variety of health complications, including eye problems. Read on to learn about the link between diabetes and your eyes, as well as how to reduce your risk of developing retinopathy.

People with diabetes are especially vulnerable to a number of eye complications. They are more likely to be shortsighted, longsighted or colour-blind, and may be prone to eyelid infections, early cataracts and dry eye syndrome. Diabetes doubles your risk of glaucoma and increases the risk of macular disease and retinal detachment. In addition, people with diabetes are especially susceptible to a condition called retinopathy, where the retina becomes damaged as a result of high blood sugar levels.

Keeping your diabetes under control reduces the risk of complications substantially, and for many diabetic-related eye problems there are effective treatments. One of the most worrying aspects of diabetic retinopathy, which can cause severe sight problems or loss, is that in the early stages there are seldom any symptoms, so regular eye exams – every 6 to 12 months – are essential to detect changes before any damage occurs. Untreated, other symptoms can occur as the disease advances, including:

• spots in front of your eyes,
• dark streaks or a red film that affects your sight,
• a deterioration in your night vision, and
• blurred vision and loss of vision.

Retinopathy usually affects both eyes and is likely to be worse the longer you have had diabetes and the less stable your blood sugar control. In the early stages there may be swelling and in the later stages blockage of some of the tiny blood vessels in the retina. Eventually, new blood vessels may form – a condition called "proliferative retinopathy." These grow along the surface of the retina and, as in macular disease, are abnormally fragile. If they leak, this can obscure vision and may lead to blindness.

Anyone who has diabetes is vulnerable to retinopathy, but there are other risk factors that you can influence. For instance, the risks are highest if you are not controlling your blood sugar well, if you have high blood pressure and if you have high cholesterol. Smoking 20 cigarettes a day triples your risk of retinopathy, and simply being exposed to other people's smoke can double your risk.

• For the sake of your eyes and the rest of your body, work with your doctor and specialists to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and fat levels under control.
• Have regular eye exams, maintain a healthy diet, keep your salt levels low as this influences blood pressure and exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Laser treatment can slow or even stop the disease from progressing and will normally be recommended if you have proliferative retinopathy. Laser surgery has a high success rate, but it may require several treatments and possibly further treatment at a later stage. Moreover, it is not a complete cure because diabetes is a lifelong condition, so future retinal damage can occur.
• Looking ahead, researchers are working on new treatments, such as medications that can be injected into the eye to treat abnormal blood vessels or even prevent them from forming.

As with any medical condition, it is best to seek professional advice. If you have any questions or concerns about diabetes and how it relates to eye health, be sure to consult your doctor.