Diabetes is a condition in which the body has difficulty utilizing or producing insulin to control blood sugar levels, resulting in higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Excess blood sugar levels over the long term can lead to damage to various parts of the body, including the eyes.

Eye diseases due to diabetes complication

Diabetes sufferers, especially those with uncontrolled diabetes, may experience several eye diseases. According to Verywell Health, of 34 million diabetes sufferers in the United States, 40% experience diabetic neuropathy. Meanwhile, other diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts can occur in anyone, but the risk increases in diabetes sufferers.

Several eye diseases related to diabetes, such as:

• Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disorder in diabetic patients. In those with diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels in the retina can leak, swell, and disrupt the blood flow. This condition can also lead to the growth of new blood vessels on the surface of the retina.

Diabetic retinopathy, which causes an increase in light sensitivity in the eyes, is caused by blockages in the blood vessels in the retina. The retina in the eye has functions to convert incoming light into signals, which are then sent to the brain and transformed into images.

When there is a blockage in the blood vessels, new and more fragile blood vessels may form, making them prone to rupture. If these blood vessels rupture, it can disrupt your vision, and scar tissue may form on the retina. Scar tissue can cause the retina to be extracted from the retinal layer away from its position, leading to blindness.

• Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema is a condition where fluid accumulates in the center of the retina, called the macula. This fluid causes the macula to swell, affecting vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of diabetic macular edema. Macular edema can also occur after eye surgery. There are several other causes of macular edema, but in cases of diabetic macular edema, this condition can occur due to complications of diabetes.

Diabetic macular edema symptoms include:

• • Blurred or wavy vision in the eyes. You might not be aware of these symptoms until the condition worsens, if diabetic macular edema only affects one eye
  • Faded colors vision
  • Difficulty reading

• Glaucoma

The optic nerve connects your eyes to your brain. When you have glaucoma, there is high pressure on the eyes that affects the blood vessels carrying blood to the optic nerve and retina. This can lead to vision damage and blindness if not properly managed.

Glaucoma is often asymptomatic or found accidentally, which can delay its detection. The management of glaucoma aims to prevent an increase in eye pressure, but it cannot restore your vision to its original state.

• Cataract

Cataracts are opacities formed in the eye lens. Cataracts are very common, especially in the elderly. In people with diabetes, the risk of developing cataracts increases even at a younger age. 

Cataracts generally do not have specific symptoms. Some symptoms that may occur include:

• • Cloudy vision
  • Faded colors vision
  • Sensitivity to light or glare
  • Difficulty seeing at night

Cataracts can be managed with surgery to remove the cloudiness that forms on the eye lens.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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