Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Q&A » I have Type 2 Diabetes and lately I have been experiencing some blurred vision could this have anything to do with my diabetes and is it serious. Should I make a visit with my ophthalmologist?

I have Type 2 Diabetes and lately I have been experiencing some blurred vision could this have anything to do with my diabetes and is it serious. Should I make a visit with my ophthalmologist?

Blurred Vision and Diabetes

It is quite possible that your blurred vision is caused by diabetes especially if your diabetes is not controlled. Some of these problems associated with diabetes are short-term and some can have long-term serious affects. However, eye problems if left untreated will have chronic and debilitating affects.

Do not leave eye problems untreated, make sure you see your doctor and let him or her know about your eye problems. It does not matter if your blurred vision happens only once in a while it is a persistent condition that occurs quite frequently, untreated eye problems associated with diabetes can lead to blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the inner most layer of the eye called the retina. This problem occurs because of insufficient blood glucose control, which is what in the essence of diabetes. The damage is due to the fact that the blood glucose has been left untreated for quite some time. How the process of diabetic retinopathy works is that the arteries that supply the blood supply to the retina become too narrow and they start to leak, while the veins get all twisted and enlarged causing fluid to seep out into the retina as well. At this point the retina will become inflamed and swell. Further complications occur because new, but unstable blood vessels are formulated in the retina because of the lack of oxygen that has occurred. These new blood vessels will bleed and some fibrous bands form and can tear the retina away from its attachment underneath.

The early signs associated with diabetic eye problems

One of the early signs associated with eye problems and diabetes is blurred vision. It is due to untreated high blood pressure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) actually changes the lens in regards to its shape and flexibility and when this happens vision is also distorted and that is what leads to blurred vision.

Double vision is also possible if the controlling nerve muscles of the eye is damaged and then the diabetic person sees two objects when in fact there is only one.

Cloudy vision is a condition often associated with the development of a cataract and inflammation of the retina. This condition is progressive and therefore develops over time.

Seeing spots When a person sees floating spots in their visionary field, it is due to transparent gel like fluid called the vitreous, which is responsible for securing the shape of the eye. Over time, the small transparent threads within the vitreous loss this transparency and it causes dark lines or spots in the vision field.

Shadows in the eye A person who sees curtain like shadows in their visionary field could be suffering from major bleeding in the retina or the retina has detached. If the eyes are red and irritated that would mean there is an infection and if there is eye pain then it is caused by high blood pressure in the eye due to glaucoma.

Tests for diabetic retinopathy

The visual acuity test that measures how sharp your vision is, is an eye chart test designed to measure how well you see both large and small objects at different distances.

The ophthalmoscopy examination is an eye examination using a fundoscope to examine the eye once the pupils have been dilated. The eye doctor adds drops to the eyes to widen the pupils in order to see if there are any signs of retinal damage. Your eye doctor is specifically looking for changes in the shape of the retina, how thick the blood vessels are, how many blood vessels are present and if any appear to be leaking. He/she is also looking for swelling in the retina and the macula, which is required for sharp vision. The doctor will also look for signs of macular odema. If macular odema is present that means there are pale fatty deposits on the eye, which are caused by retinal bleeding.

A tonometry is a test, is a test, which will determine fluid pressure in the eye and this test is designed to look for glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy treatment

The best treatment to prevent diabetic retinopathy is proper blood sugar control. The use of diabetic medication and proper diet and exercise will go along way. After that the treatments currently in use are laser surgery and vitrectomy surgery, which will restore vision caused by bleeding in the vitreous.

If you have diabetes or suffer from other eye complications make sure you get your annual eye test. People suffering from these diabetic complications may have to have their eyes checked more often.

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