* DIABETES AND EYE PROBLEMS 

Diabetes affects the blood vessels, including those of the retina in the eye. This leads to poor eyesight. Diabetes is one of the most important cause of functional blindness in our modern society. Today this can be prevented if we detect the problems early .  almost every diabetes patient has problems after an average of 10 years. 

 

PROBLEMS

1. The weakening of the blood vessels in the retina (the membrane that lies at the internal side   of the eyeball)  can lead to bleeding and leakage of fluid . If these phenomena also occur in the middle of the retina, it leads to poor vision. 

2. Occlusion  of blood vessels in the retina can lead to  oxygen deficiency. This creates a call for new blood vessels. These new blood vessels are not so good :  after a while either they bleed, wit sudden vision loss or  either they shrink what causes a pull on the retina. This leads to a  detached retina. If it cannot be repaired, it leads to  total blindness. 

3. There is accelerated "atherosclerosis". It goes faster if the patient smokes or has a high cholesterol 

In your case : no lesions / beginning lesions, needing follow up / clear lesions, needing treatment 

  

PREVENTION 

Only regular eye checks (once a year, faster if already minor injuries) can detect  lesions on time . The fact is that if the patient has symptoms, it's usually too late. Regularly we find than a severe retinal damage, which is difficult to treat. If there are  complaints, they stay permanently settled, becauwe we're already happy that we can stabilize the disease.  We can't promiss amelioration ! Good blood sugar control is no guarantee that the retina stays healthy. The eyecontrols are completely painless and occur as follows: 

- With a special instrument (ophthalmoscope) we can see whether the above injuries are present. 

- If there are a lot of  lesions (not one or two) , a fluorescein angiography is necessary. This exam  can clearly demonstrate the lesion (severity, extent, location). The exam needs the injection of  a special dye  ("fluorescein") into an armvessel  (like taking a blood sample) 

- If it's clear  that a significant portion of the retina is sick,  we  decide to laser  the diseased areas, to prevent that this areas damage the healthy retina  (by production of toxic substances). Laser is actually a bright light that kills the diseased retina by burn dots . This burn dots  are curiously almost painless. Without a doubt,  laser is very efficient to avoid eye complications. Naturally, a strict control of blood sugar and blood pressure stays necessary ! 

 

  

ANNUAL EYE CONTROLS  ARE NECESSARY FOR  ALL DIABETIC PATIENTS 

 

 

NOTE

Diabetes can also accelerate cataract and give rise to double vision (by nerve-inflammation). Elevated intraocular pressure is also a diabetes risk factor, leading to rapid vision losst. These phenomena will also be checked during  the  annual controle
 

USEFUL ADDRESS

Flemish Diabetes Association, Ottergem steenweg 456, 9000 Gent. Tel: 0800.96333 Tel: 09.220.05.20 - fax: 09.221.0082 - helpline for questions about diabetes: 0800.96333