Diabetes is a condition that is caused when blood sugar levels within the body becomes too high and can affect people of all ages. There are various side-effects of having diabetes and it is a condition that should be taken seriously and monitored closely. Looking after your eyes when you have diabetes is vital as having the condition can cause eye problems, which if not looked after correctly, can lead to deterioration and potential irreversible eye damage. In this article I will look at 4 ways diabetes can affect the eyes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is probably the most commonly known complication of having diabetes and must be taken seriously as it can lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, which is the back of eye. The retina is the part of the eye that converts the light we see into signals which are sent to the brain via the optic nerve, this is then processed by the brain into the images that we see. Diabetic retinopathy is caused when the small blood vessels on your retina become blocked, leak or grow abnormality due to the high blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of diabetic retinopathy;
Background diabetic retinopathy - this type is the very early changes to the retina, it doesn't normally affect sight but must be monitored carefully to ensure it doesn't become worse.
Diabetic maculopathy - this type is when the background diabetic retinopathy has developed on or around the macular. The macular is crucial when giving good vision as it provides central vision. Having diabetic maculopathy can affect sight.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy - this type is caused when background diabetic retinopathy become worse. When the blood vessels become damaged or blocked in a large area by the above two types it causes a reduced supply of blood to the retina. The body tries to compensate this by growing new vessels on the retina's surface, but these vessels tend to be very weak and bleed, which in turn can affect the vision. The bleeding also can cause scarring which pulls on the retina, this can cause a retinal detachment. While retinal detachments can be fixed, sometimes this may not be possible, leading to impaired vision or blindness.
Cataracts
While developing cataracts is extremely common and a part of the eyes natural aging process, people with diabetes can develop cataracts earlier and faster. Cataracts are caused by the eyes ageing, becoming cloudy and more rigid. Symptoms of cataracts tend to be blurred vision and glare or halos, especially at night time. Cataracts are usually easily removed by undergoing cataract surgery and in its place an artificial intraocular lens is implanted to restore vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by an increase in the eye's pressure. Pressure develops when the eye's fluid cannot be drained as normal. This can then cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves within the eye leading to impaired vision, and if not monitored and treated correctly, can cause blindness. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop a rare glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma. This type of rare glaucoma is caused when new blood vessels develop and grow on the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye, and this blocks the normal flow of eye fluid and in turn increases the eye's internal pressure. While regular types of glaucoma can be treated with eye drops and possible surgery if needed, neovascular glaucoma is difficult to treat and laser surgery or implants may have to be used to control the glaucoma.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision may be caused by something else, such as cataracts, but when you have diabetes it can sometimes be caused by an imbalance of your blood sugar levels that can easily be rectified. The high blood sugar levels can cause the lens within your eye to swell, which gives a blurry vision effect. To treat this, you may just need to get your blood sugar levels back under control and within limit. It may take a few months for the blurred vision to disappear. If you do develop blurred vision, make an appointment with your GP and optician or eye clinic, so they can make sure it is nothing more serious.
Remember if you have diabetes to get your eyes checked regularly. Everyone over the age of 12 with diabetes should be invited to a yearly diabetic eye screening and it is important not to miss this. Early detection of diabetic eye diseases could save your vision.
Samer Hamada is a distinguished consultant ophthalmologist and cornea surgeon performing eye surgeries at his practice, Eye Clinic London. With nearly two decades' experience, Mr. Hamada is recognised as a leading expert in the field of cataract, refractive lens exchange (RLE) and corneal surgeries.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Common Problems of the Feet
Your feet are important. They are what gives you mobility and the ability to get you from point A to point B. Your feet are also vulnerable to injury and infection. When something isn't right with your feet, you notice it. Even something as small as a blister can make walking and wearing shoes difficult.
Most of the common foot problems listed below can be avoided or have their discomfort lessened with proper foot care which includes hygiene and wearing properly fitting shoes.
Blisters
Blisters are soft, clear fluid-filled pockets of skin that result from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Blisters are often painful and make walking, running and wearing shoes difficult. Regular blisters can be pricked with a sterilized needle and drained. Blood blisters, the ones that fill with blood instead of the clear fluid, should not be popped and drained.
Hammertoes
If you have one or two toes that are crossed, pointing in abnormal angles or are bent in the middle of the toe joint, chances are you have hammertoes. Like blisters, hammertoes are usually the result of ill-fitting shoes. The alignment and bend of hammertoes can be corrected if treated early. If enough time goes by without treatment, the toe will become permanently bent.
Claw Toes
Those with claw toes have toes (with the exception of the big toe) that curl up at the joint where the toes and the foot meet and which curl downward at the end of the toes from the toe joint. Ill-fitting shoes and nerve damage are common causes of claw toes.
Bunions
If you have bunions, wearing shoes can be painful. Bunions are located at the base of the big toe, at the joint where the big toe connects to the foot. This joint grows crooked, often protruding out from the side of the foot, causing the big toe to turn inward. Ill-fitting shoes, heredity, arthritis, deformities and trauma are common causes.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are when the corners of the toenails dig into and grow into the nearby skin. Foot fungus, ill-fitting shoes, improperly cut toenails and abnormal foot structure are common causes.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection whereby an itchy, burning, peeling, white, scaly rash appears on the bottom of feet or in between toes. Poor foot hygiene such as not wearing or changing socks and not washing feet are the biggest culprits.
Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is easy to spot with discolored, deformed toenails. These unattractive toenails are the result of inadequate foot care and hygiene and exposing the feet to moist, unclean environments such as pools and locker rooms.
Gout
Gout is a painful type of arthritis that often results in red, warm, swelling and pain around the joint of the big toe. Gout is caused from the build-up of uric acid, which can be worsened with certain foods including alcohol, seafood and red meat.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are painful, hard patches of dead skin that are the result of bony areas of the toes and feet getting repeatedly rubbed, usually by tight shoes. Corns often form on the sides and tops of toes as well as in between toes. Calluses usually form on the bottom for the heel and ball of the foot.
Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis
Both heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are painful foot conditions that affect the heel. A heel spur is where pieces of bone that grow at the base of the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis is the painful inflammation of the fascia, the tendon that connects the hell and ball of the foot.
Taking care of your feet are important. Regular washing and drying of feet, wearing and changing socks, early treatment and wearing properly-fitting footwear can help stem the formation of many of these common foot problems.
If you experience chronic pain and discomfort, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.
Most of the common foot problems listed below can be avoided or have their discomfort lessened with proper foot care which includes hygiene and wearing properly fitting shoes.
Blisters
Blisters are soft, clear fluid-filled pockets of skin that result from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Blisters are often painful and make walking, running and wearing shoes difficult. Regular blisters can be pricked with a sterilized needle and drained. Blood blisters, the ones that fill with blood instead of the clear fluid, should not be popped and drained.
Hammertoes
If you have one or two toes that are crossed, pointing in abnormal angles or are bent in the middle of the toe joint, chances are you have hammertoes. Like blisters, hammertoes are usually the result of ill-fitting shoes. The alignment and bend of hammertoes can be corrected if treated early. If enough time goes by without treatment, the toe will become permanently bent.
Claw Toes
Those with claw toes have toes (with the exception of the big toe) that curl up at the joint where the toes and the foot meet and which curl downward at the end of the toes from the toe joint. Ill-fitting shoes and nerve damage are common causes of claw toes.
Bunions
If you have bunions, wearing shoes can be painful. Bunions are located at the base of the big toe, at the joint where the big toe connects to the foot. This joint grows crooked, often protruding out from the side of the foot, causing the big toe to turn inward. Ill-fitting shoes, heredity, arthritis, deformities and trauma are common causes.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are when the corners of the toenails dig into and grow into the nearby skin. Foot fungus, ill-fitting shoes, improperly cut toenails and abnormal foot structure are common causes.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection whereby an itchy, burning, peeling, white, scaly rash appears on the bottom of feet or in between toes. Poor foot hygiene such as not wearing or changing socks and not washing feet are the biggest culprits.
Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is easy to spot with discolored, deformed toenails. These unattractive toenails are the result of inadequate foot care and hygiene and exposing the feet to moist, unclean environments such as pools and locker rooms.
Gout
Gout is a painful type of arthritis that often results in red, warm, swelling and pain around the joint of the big toe. Gout is caused from the build-up of uric acid, which can be worsened with certain foods including alcohol, seafood and red meat.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are painful, hard patches of dead skin that are the result of bony areas of the toes and feet getting repeatedly rubbed, usually by tight shoes. Corns often form on the sides and tops of toes as well as in between toes. Calluses usually form on the bottom for the heel and ball of the foot.
Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis
Both heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are painful foot conditions that affect the heel. A heel spur is where pieces of bone that grow at the base of the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis is the painful inflammation of the fascia, the tendon that connects the hell and ball of the foot.
Taking care of your feet are important. Regular washing and drying of feet, wearing and changing socks, early treatment and wearing properly-fitting footwear can help stem the formation of many of these common foot problems.
If you experience chronic pain and discomfort, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.
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