Diabetes and Eye Health: Protecting your vision and following up your Diabetes
How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?
Diabetes is a widespread systemic disease with a rising global prevalence. It can impact the eyes in multiple ways, with diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy being the most common causes of vision loss.
Why Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?
Chronic high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) damages small blood vessels throughout the body. Since the retina has an extensive microvascular network, it is particularly vulnerable to early diabetic complications—similar to the kidneys.
Am I at Risk for Diabetic Eye Disease?
- Type 1 diabetics are affected earlier and more severely due to intense blood sugar fluctuations (caused by insulin deficiency).
- Type 2 diabetics develop eye complications due to insulin resistance, often accompanied by cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol.
What Are the Common Eye Complications of Diabetes?
Diabetic Retinopathy
- Damage to retinal blood vessels leads to hemorrhages, lipid exudates, and cotton-wool spots (damaged nerve fibers).
- The formation of microaneurysms and the release of growth factors stimulate abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization).
- In advanced cases, these abnormal vessels invade the eye’s internal structures, causing bleeding, glaucoma, and retinal detachment, known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Maculopathy
- Fluid accumulates in the macula (central retina), causing diabetic macular edema, which leads to blurred vision.
Other Diabetic Eye Complications
- Cataracts develop faster in diabetics due to elevated sugar levels in the eye’s lens, further contributing to vision loss.
- Corneal nerve damage (neurotrophic keratopathy) results in decreased corneal sensitivity, increasing the risk of ulcers and infections.
- Oculomotor nerve palsies may cause double vision and eye movement difficulties.
When Should I Get an Eye Exam?
Regular ophthalmologic screenings are crucial for all diabetic patients. If no eye complications are present, an annual eye exam is recommended. If abnormalities are detected, follow-up intervals depend on disease severity and your age (Children or kids entering puberty are more at risk of variations)
Treatment Options for Diabetic Eye Disease
Depending on the severity, Dr. Hayek at Centre Ophtalmologique du Glacis, Luxembourg may recommend:
✅ Retinal laser therapy (Argon laser) to prevent disease progression.
✅ Intravitreal injections (anti-VEGF or corticosteroids) to treat macular edema and neovascularization.
If you have diabetes, early detection and treatment can preserve your vision. Dr. Hayek, specializes in diabetic eye care and works at the Robert Schuman Hospital (9 rue Edward Steichen, Luxembourg) where he performs those procedures.
