Diabetes is a blood vessel disorder that affects the smaller blood vessels of the body first. The smallest blood vessels in the body are the extremities. This is why diabetics have problems with their toes and fingers. As far as the organs of the body the smallest vessels are located in the eyes and kidneys. The kidney vessels are difficult to view but the retinal vessels of the eye are fairly easy to directly look at and assess with an ophthalmoscope. By looking into the eyes we can tell if you are having complications from diabetes. The main complication that diabetes has on the eye is what is termed diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a bleeding and/or swelling of the retina. This can cause perminant damage to the retina and perminant loss of vision.
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There are steps you can take to avoid eye problems.
First and most important, keep your blood sugar levels under tight control. In the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, people on standard diabetes treatment got retinopathy four times as often as people who kept their blood sugar levels close to normal. In people who already had retinopathy, the condition progressed in the tight-control group only half as often. These impressive results show that you have a lot of control over what happens to your eyes. Also, high blood sugar levels may make your vision temporarily blurry.
Second, bring high blood pressure under control. High blood pressure can make eye problems worse.
Third, quit smoking.
Fourth, see your eye care professional at least once a year for a dilated eye exam. Having your regular doctor look at your eyes is not enough. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists can detect the signs of retinopathy.
Fifth, see your eye care professional if:
- your vision becomes blurry
- you have trouble reading signs or books
- you see double
- one or both of your eyes hurt
- your eyes get red and stay that way
- you feel pressure in your eye
- you see spots or floaters
- straight lines do not look straight
- you can't see things at the side as you used to.
When to See an Eye Care Professional
- If you are between 10 and 29 years old and have had diabetes for at least 5 years, you should have an annual dilated eye exam.
- If you are 30 or older, you should have an annual dilated eye exam, no matter how short a time you have had diabetes. More frequent exams may be needed if you have eye disease.
- If you have any changes in your vision.
- You should have a dilated eye exam if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
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