Is Diabetes One of The Main Causes of Glaucoma?

Diabetes is a type of condition that tends to double the risk of eye health. Patients may develop glaucoma over time with an increase in the eye fluid. When the pressure of the fluid damages the optic nerve and the retina, an individual loses their vision.

You may or may not get symptoms early. Many patients get no signs at all before being diagnosed with glaucoma. Some people may experience halos, blurry vision and coloured rings around lights. Whether glaucoma is treated with medications or surgery depends on the patient’s eye condition. If glaucoma does not show any signs of improvement even after using proper medications, laser surgery is the only best solution.

Can Diabetes Lead To Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a type of eye condition in which the intraocular pressure of the eye increases. It may happen to anyone, but people above the age of 40 are more at risk. Also, patients with diabetes (both Type I and II) are more susceptible to this condition. Studies have shown that most of the diabetic patients after a certain age develop glaucoma.

Diabetes and Glaucoma Types

The common types of glaucoma that may occur in people with diabetes are as follows:

Neovascular Glaucoma

This glaucoma is common in people with Type I diabetes. People who get diabetic retinopathy may get neovascular glaucoma. In this condition, blood vessels block the drainage passage of the eye and cause redness and ultimately, loss of vision.

To treat this glaucoma laser treatment is done, followed by certain medications. The procedures are done to stop the abnormal growth of blood vessels.

Open-angle Glaucoma

It is a type of glaucoma commonly found in patients with Type II diabetes. This glaucoma targets the optic nerve and if not treated properly may damage the optic nerve.

In this condition, the eye is unable to drain the fluid, and the fluid build-up increases the pressure and damages the optic nerve. This damage to the optic nerve may lead to complete vision loss.

Steroid-induced Glaucoma

It is the secondary open-angle glaucoma that occurs with the use of steroidal eye drops. Patients who have diabetes may get diabetic macular oedema that damages the retina. It causes the fluids to get accumulated in the retina that leads to vision loss.

Symptoms Of Diabetic Eyesight Issues

Some of the primary symptoms to identify glaucoma in diabetic patients are as follows:

• Blurry, double, cloudy or hazy vision.
• You may see halos and coloured rings around lights.
• Your vision may have blank or dark spots.
• Eyes may feel pressure and pain with or without redness.
• Trouble in seeing straight lines or signs
• Problem with corner vision and night vision

How To Prevent Glaucoma In Diabetic Patients?

The only way to prevent your eye from getting any eye disease is to control the sugar level. Diabetic patients need to follow the guidelines provided by the doctor and adopt a healthy lifestyle. If the sugar levels are more than usual and tend to fluctuate, it may damage the eye and the blood vessels in your eyes. For the best glaucoma treatment in Delhi, search for the well-known eye hospital near you.

Make sure you consult an ophthalmologist every year to check your condition if you have diabetes. It is essential to prevent any form of eye disease by doing comprehensive eye exams.

Also, be sure to consult the best eye doctor for your checkup. Only a trained ophthalmologist will be able to guide you with the most suitable treatment plan for eye health.