Blurred vision is a sign of ‘sugar’.

Sudden increases and decreases in blood sugar levels can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by the impact on the blood vessels in the retina, which is the nerve layer that enables vision, stated Eye Health and Diseases Specialist Op. Dr. Adnan İpçioğlu. “If diabetes is not controlled, it can lead to serious vision loss,” he said.

Stating that the frequency of diabetic retinopathy increases especially in people who have been diabetic for more than 10 years, Medicana Bursa Hospital Eye Health and Diseases Specialist Op. Dr. Adnan İpçioğlu said, “All patients with diabetes are at risk for this eye disease. It is advisable for everyone with diabetes to have a comprehensive eye examination at least once a year. The longer someone has been a diabetic, the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases.”

Eye Health and Diseases Specialist Op. Dr. Adnan İpçioğlu warned that patients should have an eye examination immediately after the diagnosis of diabetes and continue routine eye examinations as part of their diabetes checks at one-year intervals. Op. Dr. İpçioğlu said, “Especially the fundus examination allows for the early detection of changes occurring in the retina and provides the patient with the opportunity for successful treatment. Diabetic patients who have had diabetes for more than 5 years should have eye examinations every six months, and those with identified fundus problems should be examined every three months. The frequency of examinations is determined as necessary by the ophthalmologist.”

Expressing that the only proven method for treating diabetic retinopathy is ‘laser photocoagulation’, Op. Dr. Adnan İpçioğlu provided the following information:

“The main goal of treatment is to suppress the stimuli originating from the peripheral retina tissue that is not adequately nourished, thereby preventing the formation of new bleeding vessels and hemorrhages, and to preserve the patient’s level of vision. This treatment, when applied at the right time and in the right way, is the only way to prevent serious vision loss associated with diabetes. Early detection of retinopathy symptoms is the key to treatment success. Patients often experience blurry vision in the early stages of diabetes. This is not due to retinopathy but may be caused by elevated blood glucose levels at the time. It may take several weeks for blood glucose levels to return to normal, and when controlled, the blurriness disappears. Changing glasses during this temporary blurriness period is not an appropriate method.”