Eye and diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is an imbalance in the regulation of blood sugar. This disease particularly affects the blood vessels, especially those in the eye.
The main effects of diabetes on the eye are
- The retina: a thin layer of cells that lines the bottom of the eyeball. It perceives images, colours, shapes and movement; in the case of diabetes, oedema of the retina can occur, the loss of blood vessels or the formation of new vessels which can lead to haemorrhages, retinal detachment or iris damage.
- The optic nerve: located at the back of the eye. It transmits the images perceived by the eye to the brain.
The optic nerve is very dependent on a good blood supply and can be affected by any disturbance of this supply. - The crystalline lens: located behind the iris, it acts as a lens that directs and focuses light onto the retina. In diabetes, it can become cloudy more quickly, causing cataracts earlier in life than in people without diabetes.
Regular eye care is important for people with diabetes, as most of the effects of diabetes on the eye do not cause symptoms until they are very advanced.