EYE
DIABETES
A N T E R I O R* EYE P ROBLEMS DRY EYE SYNDROME CORNEA PROBLEM CATARACT *Front part of the Eye
Let’s discover more about diabetes and your eyes! - Author: Anna Bong-
Do you know? 54% of people with type 2 diabetes has dry eye syndrome.
DRY EYE SYNDROME
In diabetes, tear produc/on and stability reduced, leading to the common dry eye syndrome. It is caused by reduc on of tear protein, making the tear layer less stable. Tears help to protect our eyes that if it is reduced, the transparent and the most front structure of the eye is more prone to infec ons. • Discomfort/sore • Feeling of How do I something in know if I have • Burning the eye Sensa/on dry eye • Blurred Vision • Itchiness syndrome?
• OR No symptom at all
• Watery
Do you know? 70% of people with diabetes suffers from cornea problems. Cornea is the transparent structure at the front the eye just like window of a car le;ng light to enter and see through it. If there is irreversible damage to the cornea like a damaged car window, one cannot see clearly through it meaning vision will be permanently blurred. Person with diabetes suffers slow healing ability and poor sensi vity of cornea. A slightest scratch on cornea surface takes longer me to heal, hence it is more prone to infec on and other problems. Minimal trauma to cornea like fingernail scratch would cause problem in healing. Repe ve trauma of cornea causing recurrent corneal erosion syndrome which outermost layer of cornea is disturbed and unable to adhere to the underlying layer. It could lead to permanent damage and cause long-term visual problem if le' untreated.
What are the symptoms of Recurrent Corneal Erosion syndrome?
• Repe//ve Pain • Tearing • Redness of Eye • Sensi/ve to Light
• Blurry vision • Occurs when wake up in the morning
CORNEA PROBLEM - Recurrent Corneal Erosion
Cornea
Picture adapted from www.ctcsherry.deviantart.com
Do you know? People with diabetes has 60% greater risk of developing cataract. Uncontrolled blood glucose level would cause clear lens inside the eye to undergo certain level of stress, resul/ng in swelling and rupture of the lens. This would increase the progression of lens changes among diabe c pa ents. As a result, cataract is formed which the clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy interfering vision. The cloudier the lens, the worse is the vision. • Blurred Vision How do I (could affect know if I have driving) cataract? • Glare or lights
CATARACT
uncomfortable • Reduced contrast (colour vision faded)
looked Normal Vision
Cataract Vision
Picture adapted from www.webmd.boots.com
GOOD NEWS!! The earlier these problems are detected, the easier they can be managed. Also, monitor your blood glucose level and taking your medicine effec/vely will help to lower risk of any eye complica/ons. Regular eye examina/on is highly essen/al for early detec/on and treatment. Like the old saying goes, “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”
- Author: Anna Bong-
MORE INFORMATION
Diabetes (especially when it is poorly controlled), is known to be the leading cause of blindness among working popula on. It is all due to high blood glucose level resul ng in permanent damage to the eye and vision. Person with diabetes should go for regular eye test at least once a year. The eye examina on would be able to pick up problems at the front and the back of the eye related to diabetes. The other more severe visual deteriora on related to diabetes is Diabe c Re nopathy, which is changes at the back part (or nerve layer) of the eye, is o'en unno ced at early stage. It can only be picked up with regular eye examina on. When vision is aected, the damages of the eye due to diabetes may be at an advanced stage where treatment can only be done to preserve the remaining vision. Symptoms for eye problems may be similar to other eye condi ons. Please seek advise from your optometrist is you suspect you have visual changes. Book your appointment for an eye examina on if you have not had one in a while, regardless if you have diabetes.
Let’s keep diabetes eye problems at bay! Remember, eyes are irreplaceable unlike teeth. For more informa on, please visit: www.diabetes.org.uk www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-problems www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyecondi/ons/eyecondi/onsdn/Pages/diabetes.aspx www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complica/ons/eye-problems.html
Or contact your local optometrist for more informa/on!