The most frequently asked questions about the impact of diabetes on vision

1. I was diagnosed with diabetes 6 months ago and have been on pills ever since. I don’t have any vision problems and I want to know why the endocrinologist referred me for an ophthalmological examination?

In diabetics, elevated blood sugar damages the blood vessels of the fundus of the eye (retina) and leads to the appearance of diabetic retinopathy.The danger posed by diabetic retinopathy lies in the fact long imperceptible progression of the disease without any visual disturbances. Only when the disease affects the center of the fundus (the macular) do the first symptoms appear in the form of a drop in visual acuity, caused by the accumulation of fluid and blood, that is, swelling in the macular.

2. How is macular swelling (edema) treated in diabetics?

The increased level of sugar in the blood causes damage to the blood vessels of the yellow spot and leads to their increased permeability. Accumulation of blood and fluid in the center of the fundus causes a decrease in visual acuity. The aim of the treatment is to maintain the existing visual acuity and prevent further progression of the disease using laser therapy and anti VEGF therapy which is a type of injection given in the eye, with the aim of reducing swelling and stabilizing the blood vessels.

3. I have been diabetic for 10 years, I had an ophthalmological examination and was advised laser protection of the fundus. I don’t have any problems with my vision and I don’t understand why I need it.

In the examination of the fundus, it was noticed that due to damage to the circulation and reduction in nutrition of the retina, the formation of new, pathological blood vessels occurred. These blood vessels mean that you are in an advanced, proliferative stage of diabetes and that you are exposed to a high risk of bleeding, since the newly formed blood vessels are very sensitive. Laser treatment of the fundus aims to lead to their retreat and to prevent the further progression of the disease which would lead to severe visual impairment and blindness in the later stages.

4. Since I am in a different state and have diabetes and am on insulin therapy, I would like to know how often ophthalmological examinations are advised?

A diabetic woman during pregnancy should every trimester go for an ophthalmological examination of the fundus (fundus of the eye), as pregnancy increases the risk of the appearance and/or progression of diabetic retinopathy (sugar disease of the fundus of the eye).

5. How often should a diabetic come for eye examinations and what are their goal?

Because due to the very serious consequences that uncontrolled diabetes can have on vision, regular ophthalmological examinations are necessary for all diabetics, at least once a year or more often as recommended by an ophthalmologist. In this way, the disease can be detected at the earliest stage and enable timely laser protection of the fundus, which represents a safe prevention of severe visual impairment and blindness.