Almost six million people suffer from it in Spain, although almost half are undiagnosed. And one of the problems of suffering from this pathology is that the risk of blindness is multiplied by 25.
In addition, after 10 years from diagnosis, patients with diabetes are 50% more likely to suffer vision complications.
Therefore, it is essential that diabetic patients monitor their eye health systematically.
Diabetic macular edema, the main cause of irreversible blindness
The main cause of blindness among people with diabetes is diabetic macular edema, which 7.6% of patients with this metabolic pathology suffer from.
-
It consists of the fact that during the course of this disease the macula (a part of the retina) becomes inflamed and accumulates liquid, which affects the correct perception of details and leads to the loss of central vision.
And how does the Dr. Patricia Udaondoophthalmologist of the and:
-
“The great danger that this visual pathology entails is that it does not show symptoms until it is in advanced stages.”
A more frequent problem than we think
It is in these phases when the patient usually begins to detect vision problems:
-
View deformed objects
-
Blurry vision
-
Inability to perceive the colors of objects.
And although its name is not known to us, diabetic macular edema is a more frequent pathology than would be desirable.
-
27% of people with type 1 develop it 9 years after the diagnosis of diabetes
-
28% of patients with type 2 diabetes present the disease between 5 and 20 years later.
But despite the serious consequences of diabetic macular edema, only 20-30% of diabetics get their eyes checked annually. And for this reason, the disease is detected when the patient has already lost vision, often irreversibly.
How Diabetic Macular Edema Is Diagnosed
To diagnose this disease, a test called optical coherence tomography.
It is a simple, non-invasive test that uses light waves to obtain images of the retina and lasts only 5 to 10 minutes.
But, in addition, this test allows the analysis of biomarkers, which “will serve as a guide when it comes to individualizing treatment,” says Dr. Udaondo.
An essential aspect since, as the doctor explains:
-
“Not all patients with Diabetic Macular Edema present the same situation and, therefore, not all of them can be treated in the same way. If we want to achieve the greatest visual recovery possible, it is necessary that the treatments be individualized.”
Why does diabetes affect vision?
Diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the pancreas does not produce insulin –the hormone that is responsible for controlling glucose levels in the body–, does not produce enough of it or insulin is not used correctly.
As a consequence, high blood levels can end up causing damage to blood vessels.
-
Especially in the eyes, because these vessels are smaller and finer and, therefore, more vulnerable to possible injuries.
That is why in cases of type 2 diabetes it is recommended, from the moment of diagnosis of the disease, that the first visit to the ophthalmologist be made.
In the case of type 1 diabetes, the recommendation is that the first visual consultation be carried out at 5 years of age.
-
However, the doctor indicates that “in patients with diabetes, any small change in vision is reason enough to see a specialist.”
To this we must add that “many patients with diabetes are unaware of how they should care for their eyesight,” he adds. Mercedes Maderuelomanager of the (FEDE).
“This is due to the scant information they receive about the visual complications of diabetes. That is why it is worth highlighting the role of patient associations, to which 32% of patients turn to receive information on visual health care in diabetes”.
It is for this reason that the manager of FEDE emphasizes the importance of diabetes education as a “fundamental pillar to avoid visual complications of diabetes.”