Have you had your eyes checked?

PHOTO | HOWTORELIEF: Microscopic view of a healthy Retina and an infected one.

By Dr. Rebecah Nandasaba

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases. Since the 1980s, diabetes has been on the rise due to the consumption of energy-dense food and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, around 415 million people worldwide were living with diabetes as of 2015. The World Health Organization statistics indicate that approximately 19 million people in Africa have diabetes. In Kenya, it is estimated that about three percent of people have the disease.

Diabetes is classified as Type 1, Type 2, or Gestational. It is characterized by an elevated level of blood sugar and over time it may cause several complications that affect different parts of the body.

Eye diabetes is associated with dry eyes, development of cataracts, glaucoma i.e. characteristic nerve damage that may be associated with raised pressure in the eye, and diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the complications of diabetes that affect the retina i.e. the back part of the eye that is made up of nerves and blood vessels. It occurs in around 34.5 % of patients with diabetes. In Kenya diabetic retinopathy affects one in every three people with diabetes.

Chronically elevated blood sugar damages the small blood vessels of the retina. The damaged vessels become leaky and bleed easily. Over time scar tissue forms, contracts and pulls on the retina creating tears in the retina. This then leads to a retinal detachment which, if not treated on time, leads to blindness.

Risk factors.

The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy includes having diabetes for a long duration of time, sustained poor control of high blood sugar levels, having concurrent high blood pressure and pregnancy.

Sign and symptoms

At the early stages, diabetic retinopathy is usually painless and can remain undetected for a long time. As the damage of the retina progresses the damaged vessels can bleed into the eye or develop membranes and retinal detachment that can cause poor vision.

Management

Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy include laser treatment, injection of specific medication into the eye, and surgery for advanced disease.

This is supported by good control of blood sugar and a good diet as advised by physicians and nutritionists.

Prevention

Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindness. This means that if detected early, measures can be put in place to prevent the loss of vision.

Vision loss as a result of diabetic retinopathy is preventable through having an eye examination by an eye specialist as soon as one is diagnosed with diabetes. This is then followed up by annual screening which involves an examination of the retina.

Screening is done by taking a photo of the retina using a special camera known as the Fundus Camera. It can also be done by a detailed examination of the eye by an eye specialist in an eye clinic.

Screening or regular examination is very important as the early stages of diabetic retinopathy are silent and one may not know that the eyes are being damaged.

When signs of diabetic retinopathy are picked up early treatment is initiated to prevent the disease from progressing.

These services are available at the Kenyatta National Hospital which offers comprehensive eye services led by a team of retina specialists known as vitreoretinal surgeons.

Make sure you have your eyes checked!