DIABETIC EYE PROBLEMS
Like you haven't got enough to worry about without the fear of diabetic eye problems! Bear with me, though...
Diabetic eye problems account for more blindness than anything else in working age people in the western world.
What does that mean?
It means: diabetic blindness is a big problem.
Going blind because of diabetes Having diabetes also puts you at higher risk of developing other eye problems, not just the ones associated with your condition. There's a whole catalogue to choose from:
The list is massive, so I probably won't get around to that for some time. Anyway...
This section covers the most common diabetic eye problems which develop as a result of:
WHAT CAUSES DIABETIC EYE DISEASE?Like you need to ask! Sugar, of course...
It all starts with background retinopathy or background changes...
Usually, blood vessels cope with the normal pressure of carrying blood around; it's their job. But, in diabetes, they're constantly irritated by high levels of sugar in the blood. Over time, sugar weakens their structure. The weak points stretch under pressure and start to balloon: these balloons are called microaneurysms.
Now, imagine these blood vessels are made of a stretchy-ish material, say, your lycra leggings. Over time, with more wear and tear, areas of high use go threadbare. Are you still with me? So, as the weak patches get bigger, stuff can come though the gaps. In this case, the stuff is blood.
When blood leaks out, you're left with small haemorrhages (hemorrhages, hemorrages).
Back to your lycra leggings then...
These gaps are just getting bigger and bigger, allowing bigger molecules to fit through. We know haemorrhages are a bit more serious when we see exudates nearby. Exudates are fluids containing big molecules, such as fats and proteins.
So this is where everything starts to break down.
Those blood vessels are important because they bring nutrients and oxygen to the retina (the important 'seeing' part of the eye) and take away all the waste. If you deprive anything of its nutrients, or let it clog up with rubbish, there's gonna be trouble...
Now, if all's well, and you get things sorted out with your sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, that should be the end of that. Haemorrhages and exudates clear away, blood vessels mend themselves, and all is tickety boo.
However, things sometimes take a downward swing. When left unchecked, diabetic eye disease usually flows through a series of predictable events. I'll discuss the progression of diabetic retinopathy on further pages, when I get around to writing them :)
I'll say this again though because it's important:
DIABETES IS THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF BLINDNESS IN PEOPLE OF WORKING AGE IN THE WESTERN WORLD
but on the bright side:
DIABETIC BLINDNESS IS PREVENTABLE (mostly)How do you prevent it?
Easy...
Attend your annual eye screening appointments! And, of course, sort your blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Facts about RETINOPATHY (diabetic eyes)
From diabetic eye problems to symptoms of diabetes
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