Understanding Diabetes Related Eye Health Risks on World Diabetes Day Ft. Dr Santosh Bhide

Every year, 14th of November is marked as world diabetes day and therefore today’s show is dedicated to Diabetes which is a global health concern.

Diabetes affects eye health by damaging the retina's small blood vessels, leading to conditions known as diabetic eye disease.

High blood sugar can cause these vessels to swell, leak, or become blocked, with diabetic retinopathy being the most common result. This condition can lead to vision loss or blindness if not addressed.

Diabetes also raises the risk of diabetic macular edema (swelling in the retina’s center), cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens), and glaucoma (increased eye pressure that harms the optic nerve).

Since symptoms may not appear early on, regular eye exams are essential for those with diabetes to catch and manage these issues promptly.

In the interview, Dr Santosh Bhide, Senior Consultant and Eye Surgeon at Ruby Hall clinic, Pune, answered a few very important questions regarding eye health in diabetes patients.

The following were the questions asked by the medical dialogues team:

1. How does diabetes increase the risk of eye conditions, and what specific eye diseases are commonly associated with it?

2. What are the early symptoms of diabetic eye disease, and how can patients recognize these symptoms?

3. How does high blood sugar directly impact the blood vessels in the retina, and why is this concerning for vision health?

4. What is diabetic retinopathy, and how is it different from other diabetes-related eye issues?

5. How often should people with diabetes have their eyes checked, and what types of screenings are recommended?

6. Can lifestyle changes and better blood sugar management help in preventing or slowing the progression of diabetes-related eye complications?