Nearly half of India’s population is suffering from diabetes. We know it causes damage to all our organs but what it does to our eye sight is just irreparable.
According to a recent study, in about 70 per cent of adults above 40 years of age, blindness is due to Diabetic Retinopathy, a condition in which the blood vessels of the retina get damaged or blocked. When blood vessels get blocked, the blood supply to retina gets stopped, which ultimately leads to vision loss.
Often in the initial years after being diagnosed with this disease, the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy are not clearly visible, only mild vision problems are witnessed. And this is the most grave risk. Even physician is unable to diagnose it easily. But it’s a silent killer within a few days of this being diagnosed; a patient would not have a chance to stop the damage.
Diabetic Retinopathy is more common in type II (lifestyle diabetes) as compared to Type I cases (from early childhood). In some rare cases, the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy are seen in initial stages but generally only basic symptoms are visible such as dark spots floating in your vision, blurred and fluctuating vision, vision loss, difficulty with colour perception and dark or empty areas in vision.
The best antidote for patients diagnosed with diabetes is getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam once every year as the chances of having Diabetic Retinopathy increases with time. If diagnosed in time, your doctor can help you in preventing its progression. Remember the key is early detection and timely treatment as only this can prevent vision loss.
Diabetic Retinopathy is most common in pregnant women with diabetes. Sometimes, during pregnancy, doctors also recommend some additional tests as pregnancy may worsen Diabetic Retinopathy.
Managing your blood sugar level carefully is the first step to prevent it. Have a healthy diet and religiously spend at least one and a half hour daily on physical exercises like walk, aerobics or yoga. Take you medicines on time. If you smoke, quit it, as it is an additional hazard. Twice a year, go for a haemoglobin A1C test and get it checked by your doctor. Ideally, your A1C should be under 7 per cent.
Contact an eye doctor if sudden changes in vision are observed, or you are facing blurred or spotty vision. The damage caused can’t be retrieved but progress can be checked by surgeries like focal laser treatment, scatter laser treatment and vasectomy.
If you have already lost some of your vision due to Diabetic Retinopathy, then ask your doctor for low vision services and devices. This can help you greatly in maintaining your remaining vision.
