While the incidence of diabetes is increasing in Turkey and worldwide, the disease also seriously affects eye health. Diabetes can trigger many diseases that threaten eye health. While diabetes is the most common cause of blindness, especially in individuals over the age of 50, problems caused by blurred vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are also frequently seen. Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Fatih Kenar made statements about the negative effects of diabetes on the eyes and the eye diseases caused by diabetes before World Diabetes Day on November 14.
Diabetes can cause many visual impairments as high blood sugar levels damage the small vessels in the eye. Referring to the effects of diabetes on eye health, Medicana Kadıköy Hospital Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Fatih Kenar said, “Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects small vessels. Especially in people over the age of 40, diabetes can affect visual clarity and cause frequent changes in the number of glasses. The main eye diseases caused by diabetes include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy caused by damage to retinal vessels. In order to prevent the development of these diseases, it is of great importance for diabetic patients to have regular eye examinations and to keep their blood sugar levels under control.”
Blurred vision may be a sign of diabetes
Stating that blurred vision is not always caused by changes in the number of glasses, Op. Dr. Fatih Kenar said, “High blood sugar can cause changes in visual clarity by distorting the shape of the lens in the eye. Vision may become blurred as a result of glucose increasing the amount of fluid in the lens. In this case, vision problems may also disappear or decrease when the sugar level returns to normal. When diabetic patients experience vision problems, they should control their sugar levels and consult an ophthalmologist.”
Explaining the relationship between cataract and diabetes, Op. Dr. Fatih Kenar said, “Cataract is the dulling of the lens inside the eye and is usually seen with age. However, cataracts may occur earlier in people with diabetes. Regular eye checks of individuals with diabetes help early detection of cataracts and necessary treatments.”
Attention to eye pressure
Pointing out that glaucoma, also known as eye pressure, is an important disease that causes blindness worldwide, Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Fatih Kenar explained the risk of eye pressure in diabetics as follows: “Glaucoma is a disease in which intraocular pressure increases and leads to vision loss. In individuals with diabetes, high blood sugar levels can increase intraocular pressure and increase the risk of glaucoma. Therefore, it is very important for diabetic patients to have their eye pressure measured regularly.”
Underlining that diabetic retinopathy is another serious eye health problem that is common in diabetic patients and occurs as a result of the destruction of capillaries in the eye, Op. Dr. Fatih Kenar said, “This disease, which can cause problems such as bleeding in the retina, serum leakage and edema, can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. Diabetes patients should have their eye examinations done at regular intervals without neglecting eye examinations, which can prevent vision loss,” he said, drawing attention to the importance of early diagnosis.
İHA Haber Kodu: 20241112AW327330