Why Does Diabetes Cause Blindness
By: Tania IvanovichTotal Views: 450, Word Count: 549,
Diabetes is a disease which raises the level of sugar in blood, responsible for causing damage in the retina of the eye which is located in the back of the eye which captures the images and sends them to the brain as nerve signals. This condition leads to the causation of a severe eye disease known as retinopathy which is the gradual blindness of eyes with the rise of glucose level in the blood. The National Eye Institute states that the patients of diabetes are 25% more prone to the damage of eyesight then normal people. Every year in America, 25,000 people suffer from the attack of blindness through diabetes. The state of retinopathy is complete in two stages:
Early retinopathy: This is an early stage of disruption in the vision of eye. This is also known as nonproliferative retinopathy. The wall called microaneurysms of capillaries in the retina which carries blood are damaged on the surface causing bleeding and leaking in the eye, known by the medical term hemorrhage. This damage is apparent when the eye is viewed from ophthalmoscope. Except this, blood fluid leak may also take place resulting in the formation of “hard exudates”. Fluid damage can not prevent one from one’s vision until it affects the central area of retina which is responsible for vision: Macula. The disease caused due to the damage of macula is known as macular edema.With the increase in the rate of damage, the blood capillaries in retina are susceptible to death and paralysis making that portion of eye ineffective.
Over development in the stage of retinopathy: The later stage in the overgrowth of retinopathy is known as prolifirative retinopathy. Newly formed blood cells are generated to supply blood in the damaged areas. These blood vessels are not competent in the process of supply and can leak into the vitreous gel, present in the front of retina. With the passage of time, retina may get detached from the wall of eye resulting in loss of vision.
Cataracts: The formation of clouds over the lens causes the gradual loss of vision which is caused due to the rise in the glucose level in blood and body.
Glaucoma: This is the increase in the pressure in the eye resulting in damage to the retina. Protection of eyesight from UV rays and X-rays is a precondition in preventing this disease.
Treatment of severe retinopathy:
- Laser treatment with the aid of more aggressive technique like scatter photocoagulation.
- Proliferative retinopathy can also be treated with medicines which are helpful in decreasing the speed of development of damaged blood vessels in the retina.
- The over production of these damaged blood capillaries is caused due to the presence of protein known as vascular endothelial growth factor. If the production of this protein is checked, then this disease can be suppressed by using medicines like Avastin.
The above list of treatments would not be incorporated in your case if you are cautious about your intake of diet and exercise regime. To be on a safer side, a doctor may be consulted or a self help guide can be helpful in acquainting you with the right approach to balance the amount of sugar in blood.
About the Author
Tania Ivanovich is a doctor in a health organization in US providing advice and effective medication to the patients of diabetes. Her two decades career has witnessed the increase in the number of people who lose their vision due to diabetes. Her treatment is inclusive of the method of prevention and cure: prevention with exercise and diet control, cure with mild and natural medication. One of the books that acquaint you with the right quantity and quality of food and diet is: How To Play The Diabetes Game To Win!
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