What Eye Diseases Does Diabetes Cause?

It is widely known that diabetes can lead to eye problems. Anadolu Health Center Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yılmaz emphasizes that the success of treatment is higher when these issues are detected early, stating, “Regular eye examinations are crucial for diabetic patients, even if they do not have any complaints. Assuming similar conditions, individuals who have had diabetes for 10 years have a higher risk of complications in the eyes and other tissues compared to those who have had diabetes for 5 years. Common eye problems in diabetic patients include glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy.” Op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yılmaz provided important information on the subject...

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires careful management. While diabetes can affect the entire body, it can also impact the eyes. There are individuals with diabetes who have experienced no eye problems for years, as well as those who suffer from serious eye and vision issues due to the effects of diabetes. Initially, despite the onset of eye problems related to diabetes, patients may not experience any symptoms...

Even Without Symptoms, Patients Should Have Check-Ups Twice a Year

Patients often find that by the time they notice symptoms related to diabetes complications, the damage to their eyes has already progressed significantly. If these problems are monitored closely in the early stages and appropriate treatments are administered when necessary, permanent vision damage can be largely prevented. The only way to achieve this is through regular eye examinations for patients diagnosed with diabetes. Even if individuals with diabetes do not have visual complaints, they should undergo regular eye examinations at least twice a year. If any issues are detected during these examinations, a treatment plan should be established accordingly.

Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Yusuf Avni Yılmaz shared important information about common eye problems in diabetic patients, including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, as well as their treatments:

Glaucoma is known as eye pressure. Diabetic patients are approximately twice as likely to develop glaucoma compared to non-diabetic individuals. Early recognition and treatment of glaucoma are crucial factors in preventing permanent vision loss. There are various treatment options for glaucoma, including medication, laser treatments, and surgery, depending on the patient’s condition.

Cataracts are characterized by clouding of the lens located just behind the pupil. Although the incidence increases with age, it is also more common in diabetic patients compared to those without diabetes. Treatment for cataracts is surgical.

Diabetic retinopathy refers to various disorders that develop in the retina due to diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy should be examined in three categories:

Non-Proliferative Retinopathy: This is the initial stage of diabetic retinopathy. At this stage, bleeding in the back of the eye has begun, but it does not yet pose a major problem. Close monitoring of these patients and providing treatment when necessary is crucial to prevent vision loss. Patients in this stage are often recognized by doctors during routine eye examinations because they typically do not experience visual complaints.
Macular Edema: This condition occurs due to fluid accumulation in the area of the retina where visual receptor cells are densely located, leading to a significant reduction in vision. Vision declines as edema increases, and improves as edema decreases. However, if the edema persists for a long time, even if it is reduced through treatment, vision may not recover to the same degree. Therefore, prompt treatment is necessary if this condition is detected.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This is one of the most severe eye problems associated with diabetes. Due to circulation problems in the retina, new blood vessels develop on the retina. These vessels are not healthy like the retina's normal vessels; they are fragile and prone to bleeding. If these retinal hemorrhages fill the eye, vision can be completely lost, requiring critical surgeries. Additionally, these circulation problems and bleeding in the retina can lead to problematic and difficult-to-control types of glaucoma. This condition can cause not only vision problems but also difficult-to-manage pain in the eyes.

Treatments related to the effects of diabetes on retinopathy can be categorized into three groups: laser treatments, intraocular injections, and vitrectomy surgeries.

Last Updated Date: 21 February 2024

Publication Date: 21 February 2024

MD. Surgeon Yusuf Yılmaz

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