The increase in blood sugar levels can negatively affect the health of your eyes in many ways. If you have high blood sugar and are a diabetic patient, then it is necessary to visit an eye specialist in Dubai at regular intervals to make sure that serious illnesses do not develop. Diabetes may cause blindness, and it is essential that an eye examination be performed on those who exhibit high blood sugar levels. Given below are some of the symptoms to watch out for, and various eye diseases that affect a diabetic patient:
Blurred Vision
The presence of blurred vision does not mean that the patient should get a new prescription lens. Periodic increases in the level of blood sugar can cause the lens of the eye to swell, which results in poor vision. The best way to deal with this condition is to reduce the sugar level in the blood into the normal target range. The range is between 70-130 mg/dL before meals and 180 mg/dL after having food. The eyesight of a person will automatically return to normal after about three months of properly regulated blood sugar levels. In the case that the condition of blurry vision persists, it is always best to get a consultation from an experienced ophthalmologist.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused due to the build-up of pressure in the eye resulting in damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is instrumental in delivering signals from the eye to the brain, and helps in the process of proper vision. The pressure increase in the eye is caused usually by an increase of fluids that do not have a channel to drain out. Open-angle type of glaucoma is the most common, and this condition can be treated by administering medication which speeds up the drainage of fluids lowering the ocular pressure. It is important to have regular eye examinations from an eye hospital in Dubai in order to detect and diagnose glaucoma at an early stage.
If you observe any symptoms like watery eyes, headaches, pain in the eyes or vision loss, visit an eye doctor immediately. Diabetic patients who have high blood sugar may also contract a disease known as neovascular glaucoma, where new blood vessels start to form in the iris of the eye. These new vessels block the fluid flow and increase eye pressure, and laser surgery is often necessary to treat this condition.
Cataracts
Cataracts are common among those people who are above the age of 40, and diabetic patients are at risk of contracting this disease. The condition is caused by the proteins in the eye lumping together to form a cloudy lens which obstructs the light from focusing on the retina. Cataracts may appear at an earlier age for diabetics, and the condition can get worse quicker than in normal cases. The treatment method for cataracts is its removal through a surgical procedure and replacing it with an artificial lens. The intraocular lens is implanted in the same spot as the natural one, and it becomes a part of the eye. In some cases, after the surgery prescription glasses or contact lenses are used in patients who are not eligible for IOLs.
Diabetic Retinopathy
The retina is present at the back of the eye and light which enters the eye through the cornea is refracted and focused on the retina. The job of the retina is to turn this light into images which can be transferred to the brain via the optic nerve. Diabetic Retinopathy usually happens when the small blood vessels in the retina get damaged due to an increase in blood sugar levels in the patient. The complications which arise due to Diabetic Retinopathy are the possibility of retinal detachment, an occurrence of a vitreous hemorrhage, or even permanent blindness. It is not always possible to stop this condition, but proper management of blood sugar levels, keeping cholesterol levels under control along with maintaining healthy blood pressure, and stopping bad habits like the usage of tobacco can help in prevention.
Ebsaar Eye Surgery is a specialty eye clinic in Dubai, and we have highly experienced ophthalmologists and a team of excellent support staff. If you suffer from diabetes and start to show any of the symptoms mentioned above, get a consultation from our talented eye doctors.