Diabetes: Its effect on the eyes

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot produce any insulin or produces an insufficient amount of the hormone. Insulin breaks down sugars and converts them into energy to fuel the body. Symptoms of diabetes can include excessive thirst, frequent urination and blurred or fluctuating vision. Many times diabetes is first diagnosed in the eye doctor's office when unusual vision changes or signs of damage are seen inside the eye. Visual changes are most often caused by a swelling of the lens inside the eye. Damage occurs because diabetes affects the small blood vessels that line the inner surface of the eye and can cause a loss of oxygen to these small vessels. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults aged 20 to 74 years of age.

A comprehensive eye exam can often determine if visual changes or loss of vision is related to diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with type I diabetes should have an initial comprehensive and dilated eye exam within 3-5 years after the onset, then annually thereafter. Type II diabetics should have an annual dilated eye exam, no matter how short a time they have had diabetes. They should also see an eye care professional if any changes in vision occur.

Larry Breazeal, OD, is located at Eyeguys Optical in Hayden.