Diabetes/Complications in the Body and Eyes

Diabetes can lead to a range of complications throughout the body, with significant impacts on the eyes. Here's a breakdown of how diabetes affects the body and, specifically, the eyes:

General Body Complications:

• Cardiovascular Disease:
  • Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and blood vessels.
• Nerve Damage (Neuropathy):
  • High blood sugar can damage nerves throughout the body. This can cause:
    • Peripheral neuropathy: Numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet.
    • Autonomic neuropathy: Problems with digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, and other bodily functions.
• Kidney Damage (Nephropathy):
  • Diabetes can damage the kidneys' filtering system, leading to kidney disease or failure.
• Foot Problems:
  • Nerve damage and poor blood flow increase the risk of foot ulcers, infections, and amputation.
• Skin Conditions:
  • People with diabetes are more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
• Hearing Impairment:
  • Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels and nerves in the ears.

Eye Complications:

Diabetes can severely impact eye health, leading to several conditions:

• Diabetic Retinopathy:
  • This is the most common diabetic eye disease. High blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
  • It can progress through stages, from mild to proliferative retinopathy, where abnormal new blood vessels grow and can bleed, causing vision loss.
  • Macular edema, which is swelling of the macula, can also occur, and cause vision loss.
• Cataracts:
  • People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts (clouding of the eye's lens) at a younger age.
• Glaucoma:
  • Diabetes increases the risk of glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure in the eye.

Key Points:

• Early detection and management of diabetes are crucial for preventing or delaying these complications.
• Regular eye exams are essential for people with diabetes to detect and treat eye problems early.
• Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can significantly reduce the risk of complications.
• Regular physical activity is a key part of managing diabetes. It can help one manage blood sugar, improve heart health, and lower the risk of complications. 

Author

Paddy Kalish OD, JD and B.Arch Author and Blogger