Diabetes: Managing eye health is crucial

Managing eye health is crucial for people suffering from diabetes during this pandemic. Here is the guide to maintain your eye health.

- Dr. K. Bhujang Shetty

Many people struggle to control their diabetes and develop severe health conditions. The diabetic eye is one such condition which arises due to uncontrolled diabetes and some of the symptoms include diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Diabetes is not only sight-threatening but also a life-threatening disease if not detected early and managed well. It is a workable disease if you catch the devil young and are willing to change your lifestyle. But unfortunately in India, it is developing into an epidemic and is a real ticking time bomb.

Eye problems faced by the diabetic patients:

1. Diabetic retinopathy: Damaged blood vessels due to high blood glucose can harm the retina leading to diabetic retinopathy.

2. Diabetic macular edema: The part of your retina that you need for reading, driving, and seeing faces is called the macula. Diabetes can lead to swelling in the macula. Over time, this disease can destroy the sharp vision in this part of the eye.

3. Glaucoma: Diabetes doubles the chances of having glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss and blindness if not treated early.

4. Cataract: People with diabetes can develop cataracts at an earlier age than people without diabetes

Management of diabetic eye: