SERVICES
DIABETIC EYE DISEASE
Diabetic eye disease is a term used to describe several ocular conditions that can all result from diabetes, including:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic macular oedema
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
Blurry vision and diabetes
There are several causes of blurry vision from diabetes. Here is a partial list of probable causes:
Diabetic Retinopathy
Symptoms
You can have diabetic retinopathy and not know it. This is because it presents with no symptoms in its initial stages. As diabetic retinopathy advances, you will notice symptoms such as:
Increase in the number of floaters- Hazy vision
- The vision that sometimes changes from hazy to clear
- Seeing blank or dark regions in your field of vision
- Having inadequate night vision
- Noticing colours appear faded or washed out.
- Losing vision
Diabetic retinopathy symptoms usually affect both eyes.
Diabetic macular oedema
Macular oedema arises when fluid builds up in the retina and results in swelling and hazy vision. Diabetes can cause macular oedema from leaking blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic macular oedema can lead to permanent vision loss if not managed appropriately.
Treatment
Medical control
Managing your blood sugar and blood pressure to prevent vision loss is a vital pillar in the management of diabetic eye disease. Carefully follow the diet your nutritionist has advised. Take the medicine your general practitioner or endocrinologist prescribed for you. Sometimes, good sugar control can help return vision. Controlling your blood pressure helps maintain healthy blood vessels in the eye.
Medication
One of the treatment modalities for Diabetic retinopathy is called anti-VEGF and comes in the form of an injectable fluid. Anti-VEGF helps to reduce swelling of the macula, slowing vision loss and improving vision. This drug is given by injection into the eye.
Steroid injections are another option to reduce macular swelling. This is also given as injections into the eye.
LASER Treatment
In some cases laser treatment of the retina may also be required due to the severity of the diabetic retinopathy.
Your doctor will recommend how many treatments you will need, but usually starts with monthly injections over 3 to 4 months.
