What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that affects the back of the eye. When someone has high and varying blood sugar levels, the blood vessels in the retina can become irreversibly damaged. This can lead to loss of vision and eventually blindness.

How can you tell if diabetes is affecting your eyes?

Diabetic retinopathy commonly occurs in both eyes and most often starts with no visual symptoms. In the early stages, the walls of the blood vessels in the retina weaken. This can cause fluid and blood to leak into the eye, which sometimes results in blurred vision. Some other symptoms which could develop later include fluctuating vision, double vision, floaters, and impaired colour vision. Diabetes can also cause other eye conditions such as cataract and glaucoma.

What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?

There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy: Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy, Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy, Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy and Proliferative Retinopathy.

Can lowering blood sugar level help with diabetic retinopathy?

When blood sugar levels are consistently high, the chances of diabetic retinopathy developing are high. That is why it is important to control your blood sugar levels in order to slow down diabetic retinopathy’s progression to vision loss.

What is the cure for diabetic retinopathy?

While diabetic retinopathy can not be cured, treatments can help prevent or delay vision loss for anyone who has diabetes. For people with diabetes, it is critical to receive regular eye examinations as early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss. These eye health examinations should be done annually or every two years at a minimum by an eye care practitioner.

5 Signs Of Cataract To Look Out For

Recognising early signs of cataract is vital for maintaining your eye health. If you experience any unusual changes in your eye health, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist/optometrist for a thorough eye examination. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, which may involve cataract surgery, can significantly improve your vision and overall quality of life.

In this blog, we will explore the warning symptoms/signs of cataract and how to recognise them, helping you to take proactive steps towards good eye health.

COVER PHOTO: The Fred Hollows Foundation

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Changes in your vision
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty with night vision
Colour distortion/perception abnormalities
Frequent changes your glasses prescription

Changes in your vision

A common initial symptoms of cataract is a gradual decline in the clarity of your vision.

You may notice that your vision becomes increasingly blurred or hazy, as if you are looking through a cloudy lens. This blurriness may affect your ability to read, drive, or perform everyday tasks that require clear vision.

Double vision or seeing multiple images in one eye is another potential warning sign of cataracts. This phenomenon occurs because cataracts can interfere with the light passing through the lens, causing it to scatter and create duplicate images. If you experience double vision, it's crucial to seek a comprehensive eye examination to determine the underlying cause.

Sensitivity to Light

Cataracts can cause heightened sensitivity to light. You might experience discomfort or glare from bright lights, sunlight, or oncoming headlights while driving at night. This sensitivity can be bothersome and lead to a decrease in your quality of vision and quality of life.

Photographer: The Fred Hollows Foundation

Difficulty with Night Vision

Cataracts often cause problems with night vision.

If you find it challenging to see in dimly lit environments or notice a significant increase in glare during nighttime activities, it could be a sign of cataracts. Driving at night can become particularly challenging and potentially dangerous due to reduced visibility and increasing glare.

Colour distortion/perception abnormalities

The development of cataracts can alter your perception of colors. You may notice that colors appear faded, yellowed, or less vibrant than before. This color distortion can make it challenging to distinguish between shades.

Cataracts can also affect your ability to discern contrast between objects, making it challenging to differentiate between shades of gray or objects of similar colors. This loss of contrast sensitivity can be particularly problematic in low-light conditions or when distinguishing between objects with subtle variations.

Photographer: The Fred Hollows Foundation

Frequent Changes in Eyeglass Prescription

If you find yourself needing to update your eyeglass or contact lens prescription more frequently than before, it may indicate the presence of cataracts. As cataract progresses, they can cause changes in your refractive power, requiring adjustments to your corrective lenses.

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DISCLAIMER:

The content on this page is not intended to be medical advice. For specific medical advice, please contact your health professional.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Lila Raj Puri - The Fred Hollows Foundation

Dr Lila Raj Puri is a Medical Adviser at The Fred Hollows Foundation, and his interest lies in research and training. Based in Nepal, he advises on national prevention of blindness strategies in the Asia region, and leads the development and implementation of clinical governance frameworks. He also supports ophthalmologist training and quality assurance at Alina Vision Hospital. He is an ophthalmologist with over 12 years of experience in clinical and surgical management of eye diseases, and hospital management. As an Associate Professor, he has trained national and international ophthalmologists in cataract surgeries, as well as overseeing the training of optometrists, residents and nurses.