Maintain healthy eyes despite having diabetes

• May 6, 2024

It is likely that a person with diabetes takes careful care of their glucose levels, but is unaware of vision problems related to the disease. For this reason, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) offers information to keep eyes healthy, despite having diabetes.

A patient with diabetes should know that high levels of blood glucose and high blood pressure can damage four vital parts of the eye:

- The retina, which is the membrane that covers the back of the eye and whose function is to detect the light that enters it
- The vitreous humor, which is the gelatinous fluid that fills the back of the eye
- The lens, a lens that is in the front of the eye and focuses light on the retina.
- The optic nerve, which is the main nerve that connects the eye with the brain.

Once damaged these parts, the problems of retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and even blindness, do not wait.
 

It is important to be aware of certain symptoms such as:

- See floating spots, flashes or twinkling lights
- Perceive rings around a light source
- Having blurred or double vision, perceiving blind spots at the ends of the visual field or, even, total darkness
- Feel pain or pressure in one or both eyes.

When in doubt, it is necessary to go immediately to the ophthalmologist and maintain the blood glucose and blood pressure levels controlled.

If the eyes are already damaged, do not be alarmed as there are laser ophthalmological treatments and surgery that can solve some disorders.

A patient with diabetes should have an ophthalmological examination every year for the doctor to identify any disease, proceed to initiate the appropriate treatment and avoid serious problems later.

Ocular complications caused by diabetes can be avoided, as long as they are detected on time and under the specialist's control.
 

Video Medicine: Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Reversed? (May 2024).