Diabetes warning signs in our vision - how to spot them before eye damage
From excessive thirst to fatigue and frequent urination, the symptoms of diabetes are well-documented.
But few people are aware that our eyes can also betray warning signs of diabetes - and that the disease can cause permanent damage to our vision. With World Diabetes Day falling today (November 14), now is a good time to learn more about the condition.
According to the latest NHS figures, more than 300,000 Scots have been diagnosed with diabetes, and many more are thought to be unaware that they are living with the condition.
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The illness occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or use it effectively enough, to process the sugar in the blood. This leads to a build up of glucose in the bloodstream, which can eventually cause complications including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
To avoid these serious health repercussions it is important to catch diabetes in its early stages, by looking out for signs of the illness in our vision.
Why does high blood sugar affect a person's eyes?
High blood sugar can change the blood vessels in our retina or cause swelling in the tissues of our eyes which help us see, causing blurred vision.
High blood sugar can also change the shape of our lens, and if left untreated, it can lead to problems like cataracts, glaucoma and retinopathy, the Mirror reports.
How can diabetes affect the eyes?
The surprising impact of diabetes on our eyes is due to the body's failure to produce insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas.
Insulin processes the glucose in the blood, allowing it to enter cells and provide them with the energy to function. But when you have high blood sugar, glucose remains in your bloodstream rather than reaching your cells. This process can lead to vision loss and ultimately blindness.
Excess blood sugar also damages the body’s smallest blood vessels and impairs blood flow, leading to leaking blood vessels, swelling and oxygen deprivation. These fluid leaks can change the shape and size of the eye’s lens, causing cataracts. They can also create bleeding and excess fluid in the retina, where images are formed, which can have a serious effect on our vision.
What are the four main signs of diabetes in our vision?
The four key vision-related signs that you may have diabetes are:
blurred or distorted vision
dark spots in your vision (floaters)
flashes of light
“holes” in your vision
Other than diet and exercise, what strategies can lower blood sugar and protect the eyes?
1. Get enough sleep - one of the many benefits of a good rest is the role of sleep to maintain blood sugar levels. Sleep deprivation limits the release of growth hormones and increases cortisol levels, both of which are crucial to manage your blood sugar. Aim to achieve at least seven or eight hours of high-quality sleep per night.
2. Drink plenty of water - Staying hydrated will help your kidneys to flush out the excess glucose via urine and therefore keep your blood sugar levels low.
3. Limit stress - When under stress, the body releases hormones that cause blood glucose levels to rise. Managing your stress through exercise or relaxation methods like yoga and mindfulness can help you regulate blood sugar levels.
Is it true diabetic eye disease has no symptoms until it is advanced to a significant level?
The earlier you’re diagnosed with diabetic eye disease, the stronger your eyesight will remain. As will all illnesses, medics stress that any negative changes in your eyesight should be reported to a GP before the damage becomes irreversible.
Blurry vision is the first and primary warning sign of diabetes. However, unfortunately most instances of diabetic eye disease present no symptoms until the illness has significantly advanced.
It is for this reason that annual, thorough eye exams are so crucial. Without treatment, the condition can lead to long-term or permanent vision loss. In fact, diabetes is the primary cause of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 to 74.
However, if you catch the condition in time, your vision can fully recover within three months.
Are there any other unusual warning signs of diabetes in our vision?
Diabetics may also experience other eye complaints, including blurred vision, eye aches, watery eyes, seeing halos around lights, and headaches as a result of eye strain.
If you find yourself suffering with one or more of these warning signs it’s best to check with your eye care professional to detect any problems early and get started on treatment.
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