Eye for Diabetes

DIABETES

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide serious and increasingly common, chronic disorder whereby bloods sugar levels are increased. When you have diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body is insensitive to the effect of insulin. As a result, sugar from nutrition cannot be sufficiently absorbed into the various cells to serve as an energy source. This causes an increase in blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). And together with hyperglycemia, we often see disorders in blood fats (cholesterol) and blood pressure.

Type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes are the most common forms of diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys pancreatic beta cells. Through this, the body produces no or insufficient insulin. That is why it is necessary to inject insulin for lifelong when being diagnosed with diabetes. This condition usually occurs among children or young adults (younger than 40 years), although type 1 diabetes can also develop at an older age. Of all persons with diabetes, less than 10% are affected by type 1. It is usually striking that when being diagnosed the symptoms occur within a short timeframe and are usually very pronounced. The symptoms are mostly being parched, a lot of peeing, slimming and fatigue. Not everything is known yet about the origin of the disease. Usually people with type 1 diabetes have antibodies in their blood that are directed against parts of the pancreatic beta cells.

More than 90% of people who suffer from diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The condition mainly occurs from the age of 40. Two problems are at the root of type 2 diabetes: insulin is still produced but in insufficient quantities, or the effect of insulin is also reduced. Hereditary predisposition plays a role, but especially in the case of overweight and lack of exercise the chance of getting the disease increases. These are also important explanations for the sharp increase in type 2 diabetes in the population. Conversely, a healthy lifestyle can prevent type 2 diabetes.

A special form of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This mainly occurs in the second half of the pregnancy. This requires further follow-up to minimize risks during pregnancy and at birth. The diabetes usually disappears after giving birth. The diagnosis of gestational diabetes is an alarm signal. It means that you have a greatly increased risk of developing permanent diabetes within the first 5 to 10 years.

COMPLICATIONS

With the current treatment options, diabetes can be well controlled. However, diabetes can lead to a number of health problems in both the short and long term. In the short term, disrupted blood sugar levels can lead to dehydration or loss of consciousness. In the long term, high blood sugar levels can cause a great deal of damage to various organs.

The damage of larger blood vessels leads towards a greater risk of having a heart attack, brain thrombosis (stroke) and poor blood circulation in the legs. This is also called macro-angiopathy. Damage towards smaller blood vessels can cause problems in the eyes and kidneys, also called micro-angiopathy. Poorly controlled diabetes can also affect the nerves. In combination with poor blood circulation, foot wounds can develop that are difficult to heal. Early detection and treatment of diabetes are therefore essential to minimize serious consequences.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetes can cause serious injuries in the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of the eye on which the sight is projected and then transmitted to the brain. The damages of small vessels in the retina is called retinopathy. In the first stage, small widening and weak spots occur, causing minor bleeding and fluid leakage. Most people experience no discomfort, but urgent treatment is needed at this stage. Hence the necessary (annual) examination. The eye doctor is able to determine the injuries, even before you are experiencing discomfort.

If diabetes is not being controlled in a proper way, the small capillaries can clog up in a next stage of the disease. This results in oxygen deficiency in various places in the retina. Subsequently, new capillaries are created that are of very poor quality. They burst easily and can cause pronounced bleeding. A patient can suddenly notice a dark spot, or can lose sight for months due to the thick blood curtain. If nothing is done at this stage, the newly formed blood vessels will shrivel up and eventually tear off the retina, resulting in definitive blindness. Thanks to a strict sugar and blood pressure check and annual preventive examinations at the eye doctor, the risk can be limited to the strict minimum.