Having diabetes is a major risk factor for developing several serious eye conditions, including cataracts, the leading cause of reversible vision loss and blindness around the world.
In fact, diabetics over age 65 are twice as likely to develop cataracts than non-diabetics their age, while diabetics under 65 have a 3-4 times higher incidence of cataracts than their non-diabetic peers.
The good news is that surgery to remove cataracts is generally safe and effective, and will improve your quality of life while helping to restore your vision.
How Does Diabetes Promote the Formation of Cataracts?
A cataract – the clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens – usually occurs in people over the age of 60, but people who have diabetes tend to develop cataracts more frequently, and at a younger age than people without the condition. Their symptoms may also progress more rapidly.
While scientists are still studying the underlying disease mechanism, damage to the eye’s blood vessels due to raised blood sugar levels is presumed to play a role.
People with diabetes have trouble producing insulin, a vital hormone that transports sugar from the blood to the body’s cells to create energy. The shortage or complete absence of insulin keeps excessive levels of sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream.
Over time, these high levels of blood sugar can harm blood vessels and trigger the process that makes the lens opaque. Eventually, a cataract forms, impacting vision.
Cataract Surgery for Diabetics
Being diabetic can affect the complexity of your cataract surgery and the speed and extent of your recovery.
Before deciding whether you need cataract surgery and when, your eye surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your eyes and look for other diabetic-related eye conditions.
In addition to cataracts, people with diabetes are at greater risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and diabetic maculopathy. Having other serious eye conditions can impact not only how cataract surgery is performed, but also its outcome.
Your eye surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your vision and discuss your surgical options, so you can make an informed decision. To schedule your consultation, call FW Specialty Surgicare in 2001 Cooper Street Fort Worth, Texas 76104 today.