The CDC estimates that more than 37 million Americans have diabetes, with more than 8 million suffering from diabetes eye problems. The American Society of Retina Specialists says diabetic eye disease is the most sight-threatening condition and the leading cause of poor eyesight among working-age Americans. Often if you have diabetes, you may have diabetic eye disease San Antonio because the high blood glucose damages the vessels that supply nutrients to your retina. Apart from high blood glucose, high blood pressure can also cause eye problems.
During the early and advanced stages of eye problems due to diabetes, the signs and symptoms you may experience include distorted or blurry vision, dark shapes or spots in your sight, impaired color vision, and loss of eyesight. When you have color vision impairment or deficiency, you have trouble seeing colors and distinguishing between shades of yellow, green, and red.
Consequently, below are common eye problems you may encounter with diabetes.
- Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication due to high blood sugar damaging and blocking blood vessels that supply nutrients like oxygen to your retina. When your blood vessels are not providing your retina with adequate nutrients, your eye may try to produce new blood vessels, which also may not fully develop and cause the leaking of blood and fluids easily.
Immediately after your doctor diagnoses you with type 2 diabetes, go for a regular eye examination to check if you also have diabetic retinopathy. That is because, during the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not show any symptoms.
Because of the development of abnormal blood vessels in your retina and blockage of vessels nourishing your retina, you may be at risk of retinal tear or detachment and blood floating on the retina and clouding your view.
- Diabetic macular edema
The macular is the round area at the center of the retina. It provides a detail of objects you see. When diabetes destroys the tiny blood vessels of your retina, that can cause them to leak or ooze blood and fluid. The fluid and blood can irritate the retina, leading to swelling (edema) in its central part. Therefore, diabetic macular edema may cause blurry vision and vision loss.
- Cataracts
Like a camera, your eye has two natural lenses, with one situated behind the iris, the colored part of your eye. However, because of the destruction of the blood vessels in your eye, the lens becomes cloudy, and thus your retina cannot produce clear and sharp images. The colors you see are dull, and your vision is blurry.
If part of the lens of your eye is cloudy, surgery can treat the issue. Your eye surgeon can replace a defective natural lens with a synthetic one.
- Glaucoma
A glaucoma is a group of eye disorders or conditions resulting from the destruction of the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects your eye to the brain and therefore delivers visual information to your brain to guarantee good vision.
Contact Alamo Eye Care today to schedule an appointment with a diabetic eye disease specialist.