Diabetic Retinopathy is a common eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults
Diabetes is one of the rising emergencies the world is facing currently. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) data, in 2019, diabetes and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths. The number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014.
Prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
How does diabetes affect eyes?
Diabetes can damage your eyes over time and cause vision loss, even blindness. Diabetic Retinopathy is a common eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Diabetic retinopathy is caused when high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina (a light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye).
Damaged blood vessels can swell and leak, causing blurry vision or stopping blood flow. Sometimes new blood vessels grow, but they aren’t normal and can cause further vision problems. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.
However, early diagnosis and treatment can help in preventing the development of the disease.
Symptoms to look out for
The first step to treat the disease is to identify early symptoms. While it can be tricky, one must check for the symptoms below:
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Frequently changing vision power
- Vision loss or dark spots in vision
- Unable to detect colours
- Spots or dark strings (also called floaters)
- Flashes of light
- Uneasiness in the corners of the eyes
Who are more prone?
According to the experts, anyone with diabetes can develop the symptoms that affect eyes. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop it. Additionally, there are a few factors that increases your risk.
Patients with high blood sugar and cholesterol level are at the top-most risk of developing these symptoms. Hypertension also ranks on the same place.
Smoking is another major factor that increases risk of developing diabetic retinopathy among patients.
https://www.news9live.com/health/health-conditions/diabetes-symptoms-in-eyes-spotting-floaters-hazy-vision-can-be-signs-of-diabetic-retinopathy-au288-2100883
