Which eye diseases can be caused by diabetes?
May 28, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Laura Bergmann
Dear Doctor,
My name is David Meyer and I have been suffering from diabetes for several years. Lately, I have noticed that my vision has worsened and I have been experiencing more problems with my eyes. I am concerned that my diabetes may be affecting my eyes and could potentially cause eye diseases.
Currently, I have been experiencing increased blurriness in my vision, especially up close. I also sometimes feel that my eyes strain more easily and I get headaches more often when I work on the computer for longer periods of time. Additionally, my eyes often feel dry and burn.
I am worried that these symptoms may be related to eye diseases that could be caused by my diabetes. Therefore, I would like to learn more about the specific eye diseases that can be caused by diabetes and how I can possibly treat them.
Could you please provide me with more information on which eye diseases can occur with diabetes and how I can protect and treat my eyes? I would like to know what measures I can take to maintain my vision and prevent any damage to my eyes.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
David Meyer
Dear David Meyer,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an ophthalmologist. It is important that you take care of your eye health, especially if you have diabetes, as this condition can indeed have an impact on your eyes.
Diabetes can cause various eye diseases known as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic maculopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common eye diseases caused by diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the delicate blood vessels in the retina. This can lead to bleeding, swelling, and scarring that can affect vision. Diabetic maculopathy affects the macula, the area of the retina responsible for sharp vision. Damage to the macula can result in blurred or distorted vision.
Cataracts are another common eye disease in diabetics. They occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to impaired vision. Glaucoma is an eye disease that increases pressure in the eye and can damage the optic nerve, resulting in a slow loss of peripheral vision.
To protect your eyes and prevent potential damage, it is important to have regular eye exams. Your ophthalmologist can detect changes in your eyes early and recommend appropriate treatments. Additionally, it is important to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control, as high levels can increase the risk of eye diseases in diabetes.
There are various approaches to treating diabetic eye diseases, depending on the type and severity of the condition. This may involve medication, laser treatments, or in some cases, surgical interventions.
It is also important to regularly rest your eyes, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Take regular breaks, blink often to keep your eyes adequately moistened, and use artificial tears if necessary to relieve dry eyes.
I strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with an ophthalmologist to have your eyes examined and discuss appropriate measures. The earlier potential problems are detected, the better they can be treated.
I hope this information was helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need additional information, I am happy to assist.
Stay healthy and take good care of your eyes.
Best regards,
Laura Bergmann
