If you have diabetes, your blood glucose or blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, this may damage your eyes. The most common problem is diabetic retinopathy. It is the leading cause of blindness in American adults.
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. You need to have a healthy retina to see clearly. Diabetic retinopathy damages the small blood vessels of the retina.
You can not see that at first. Symptoms may include:
Blurred or double vision
Rings, flashing lights or white spots
Dark or floating spots
Pain or pressure in one or both eyes
Difficulty seeing things from the corner of your eyes
Treatment often includes laser treatment or surgery, with follow-up care.
Two other eye problems can occur in people with diabetes. A cataract is a cloud over the lens of the eye. The surgery helps to see clearly again. Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in the eye, damaging the main nerve. Eye drops or surgery may help.
If you have diabetes, you should have a complete eye exam every year. Detecting and treating problems early can save your vision.
Comments
Post a Comment