With urbanization, sedentary life and altered food habits, many lifestyle related diseases are increasing among people. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common and important diseases among them. Diabetes occurs due to inability of the body to metabolise glucose (sugar) leading to improper regulation of blood glucose level.
Like various organs of the body like heart, brain and kidneys, one of the most common organs involved in Diabetes is eye. Diabetic eye diseases can occur in various forms like repeated lid infections (lid swelling and stye), dry eyes (irritation and red eyes), early cataract which can progress to mature stage faster. However, the most important is Diabetic Retinopathy. It affects the blood vessels supplying blood to retina (the back part of the eye) which is extremely vital for vision. It leads to bleeding in retina and swelling on macula (central retina). This usually results in painless loss of vision. As the changes in the retina due to diabetes are permanent, they result in irreversible visual loss. If retinal changes are severe, they may lead to permanent blindness.
Every person after age of 50 years or family history of Diabetes (mother/father has Diabetes) should check their blood sugar every 4-6 monthly. A diabetic patient should undergo eye examination (especially retina examination) from eye specialist once every 6 monthly. This helps in early detection of diabetic retinopathy and effective treatment will ensure that the disease does not progress to visual loss. Prevention is better than cure. Early diabetic retinopathy changes do not produce visual alterations, but warrant routine eye examination to avoid visual loss. A patient with poor sugar control is more likely to develop and progress diabetic retinopathy. A patient with long-standing diabetes is more likely to develop it, but if sugar control is good, may not progress to visual loss. A diabetic patient with high blood pressure or kidney (renal) failure is more likely to develop vision- threatening retinopathy. If treated early, diabetic patient will have good visual outcome and blindness can be avoided.
Published in Hitavada Newspaper, Nagpur