Diabetes is increasingly becoming a global health concern. The International Diabetes Federation reported that in 2017, around 425 million adults were diagnosed with diabetes, with an additional 352 million individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Projections indicate that by 2045, the number of diagnosed cases could escalate to 629 million.

This condition is a significant contributor to various health complications, including blindness, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, nerve damage, and lower limb amputations. In 2017 alone, diabetes was responsible for approximately 4 million deaths worldwide. However, with appropriate treatment, medication, regular health screenings, and lifestyle modifications such as improved diet and increased physical activity, it is possible to prevent these complications.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by insufficient production of insulin or the body’s inability to effectively use insulin to manage blood sugar levels. When diabetes is not controlled, it results in hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, which can harm various bodily systems, including blood vessels and the nervous system.

How Does Diabetes Impact Eye Health?

Diabetic eye disease encompasses a range of conditions that are either caused or exacerbated by diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. Individuals with diabetes are four times more likely to develop cataracts, and the condition can also lead to increased dryness and diminished corneal sensitivity.

In diabetic retinopathy, the small blood vessels in the eyes sustain damage over time, leading to leakage, inadequate oxygen supply, and subsequent scarring of the delicate retinal tissue. This process can result in further cellular damage and scarring.

The risk of developing diabetic eye disease increases with the duration of diabetes and the extent of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Unlike many other vision-related conditions that predominantly affect older adults, diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of vision impairment among younger, working-age individuals. Regrettably, these eye disorders can ultimately result in blindness.