Enyeribe Ejiogu Of all the physical disabilities that can befall a person, blindness is about the worst, most psychologically humiliating and restricting as makes the person dependent......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Just imagine the pain of not seeing the face of the person you are talking with and not being able to read the body language of the person. It is more disconcerting when it happens suddenly later in life, after the victim has experienced the beauty of having vision, seeing and appreciating colours and excellent contours, easily navigating your home, workplace and driving or commuting in your city of residence, travelling unaided and a host of other human activities.
To lose one’s vision is definitely a big blow. In fact the realisation that one has lost vision in adulthood feels more like an upper cut and TKO (technical knockout) delivered by the fierce and furious Mike Tyson in the heyday of his glorious boxing career as heavyweight champion of the world.
The loss of vision is a clear and present concern that people who are unfortunate to develop diabetes have to deal with at some point in life – if the diabetes is not well managed.
Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, is often associated with complications like nerve damage, kidney disease, and heart problems. However, one of the most devastating and often overlooked consequences of diabetes is vision loss. In this feature piece, we’ll delve into the intricate relationship between diabetes and vision loss, exploring the risks, warning signs, and ways to protect your sight.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 463 million people worldwide live with diabetes. In Nigeria, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated to be around 2.8 million people. Diabetes-related vision loss, particularly diabetic retinopathy, affects an estimated 1 in 3 people with diabetes worldwide.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. High blood sugar levels can cause the blood vessels to leak, swell, or even grow abnormally, leading to vision problems.
There are four stages of DR:
1. Mild non-proliferative DR which is charactised by microaneurysms (small swellings) in the blood vessels.
2. Moderate non-proliferative DR: In this, there is more extensive damage to the blood vessels, with some leakage.
3. Severe non-proliferative DR, which widespread damage with significant leakage and hemorrhaging.
4. Proliferative DR, in which new, fragile blood vessels grow, which can lead to severe vision loss.
Warning signs and symptoms
Generally, diabetic retinopathy often develops without noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but there are warning signs that serve as red flags to watch out for and they include:
– Blurred vision
– Floaters (small, dark spots) in your vision
– Double vision
– Eye pain or pressure
– Sudden loss of vision
Risk factors and prevention
Certain factors increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Among them are:
Duration of diabetes -The longer you’ve had diabetes, the higher your risk.
Blood sugar control – Poorly managed blood sugar levels increase the risk of DR.
Hypertension – High blood pressure can exacerbate DR.
Smoking – Smoking damages blood vessels, including those in the retina.
To reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy, you should maintain good blood sugar control. For this reason, you need to work with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes.
Monitor your blood pressure and control hypertension through lifestyle changes and medication. If you are a smoker, then it is absolutely imperative that you quit smoking: Therefore, you need to seek support to quit smoking. Further, you have to go for regular eye examination: In this regard, you need to go for annual comprehensive eye exams with a dilated retinal examination.
Treatment and management
While there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, early detection and treatment can slow or halt disease progression. Treatment options include laser photocoagulation, which seeks to reduce swelling and prevent further vision loss; anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, aimed at reducing abnormal blood vessel growth; vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove blood and scar tissue from the eye and retinal detachment surgery, to repair a detached retina.
The decision to take the appropriate steps is the main reason that 55-year-old Mrs Adenike (surname concealed), a Lagos resident got a new lease on life. Adenike developed diabetes more than 10 years ago and made her best efforts to manage the condition. Sometime ago, she began to experience blurred vision and floaters.
She went to see an ophthalmologist, who conducted a comprehensive eye exam which revealed that she had advanced diabetic retinopathy.
The doctor prescribed a course of prompt treatment included laser photocoagulation and anti-VEGF injections. The treatment enabled Adenike’s vision tobe stabilized, and she was able to continue her daily activities.
Clearly, diabetes-related vision loss is a silent thief, often stealing sight without warning. However, by understanding the risks, recognizing warning signs, and taking proactive steps to manage diabetes and prevent complications, individuals can protect their vision. Regular eye exams, maintaining good blood sugar control, and quitting smoking are crucial in preventing diabetic retinopathy.
As Adenike’s story illustrates, prompt treatment can make a significant difference in preserving vision. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take control of your diabetes and protect your sight.
As with everything else, dear reader, you need to take charge of their health. Seek useful information on health issues that pertain to you, your loved ones and friends. Like the Bible says, “my people perish for lack of knowledge (appropriate information). You can get relevant information on diabetes and vision loss, from the Nigerian Diabetes Association (NDA), Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – Diabetes Programme
Remember, your vision is precious – take care of it.
