If you have diabetes, you also have to be aware of other health problems that come with it, right? There are many things to consider, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney health. Among these, eye health is something that many people may forget, but it is very important. In fact, when blood sugar levels are high for a long time without control, it starts to damage the delicate blood vessels in our body. One of the organs most susceptible to this damage is our eyes.
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First, let's see what diabetic retinopathy is.
Okay, let's put it simply. Our eye is like a camera. There is a very sensitive membrane that acts like the film behind this camera. In medical science, we call this the retina . When the light from the things we see falls on this retina, it converts those light signals into electrical signals and sends them to the brain. These signals are sent to the brain through a special nerve that goes from the back of the eye to the brain, called the optic nerve .
The retina has a very fine network of blood vessels that provide a good supply of blood. When blood sugar levels remain high due to diabetes, the walls of these fine blood vessels become damaged. Think of it like a water pipe that, over time, becomes worn, cracked, and starts to leak water. In this way, blood and fluid begin to leak from these damaged blood vessels onto the retina. This is what we call Diabetic Retinopathy .
In response to this damage, the eye tries to make new blood vessels. But the new blood vessels that form are very weak, and their walls are very thin. So they leak more blood and fluid.
Okay, so what is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?
Diabetic Macular Edema , or DME for short, is a major complication of diabetic retinopathy. DME is the leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients.
Now look, as I said before, the retina is the sensitive membrane inside the eye. Right in the middle of this retina, there is the main part that helps us with our sharp vision, which means reading a book, recognizing a person's face, and threading a needle. We call it the macula .
When fluid, blood, and cholesterol from blood vessels in diabetic retinopathy accumulate around and on the macula, the macula begins to swell. It's like a sponge absorbing water. This swelling of the macula is called Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).When the macula swells, it can't do its job of providing sharp vision properly. That's why a person with DME sees things as blurry and stretched.
The most important thing is that even if someone with diabetes has no symptoms, it is essential to have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist at least once a year . This way, conditions like these can be identified at an early stage.
How does DME get worse over time?
This is a problem that many people have. There is no set time frame for how quickly DME will progress. It varies from person to person. Sometimes a person may have mild diabetic retinopathy, but they may develop severe DME.
When your eye doctor examines your eyes, they focus on two main things:
1. Level of swelling: How much the macula is swollen.
2. Location of the swelling: How close the swelling is to the center of the macula.
The closer the swelling gets to the center of the macula, the more severe the impact on your vision will be. That's why it's so important to get regular medical checkups.
Do you also have these symptoms?
Not everyone with DME will have the same symptoms. Some people may not have any symptoms at all in the early stages. However, most people will experience one or more of the following symptoms:
| Symptom | Meaning and How it Feels |
|---|---|
| Blurred Vision | Especially the middle part of what you're looking at seems blurry and unclear. It's like looking through a fog. When reading a book, the letters become blurry. |
| Wavy Vision | Straight objects, such as window sills and door frames, can appear wrinkled and stretched. |
| Washed-out Colors | Even bright colors can look dull and faded. The colors can feel as if they have lost their vitality. |
| Problems with one or both eyes | Sometimes these symptoms can only occur in one eye, so you may not notice the difference in the other eye because you can see clearly in one eye. |
Be aware of these changes.
If you have any of these symptoms, don't just assume, "This will go away in a few days." This is a very important warning sign. You should see your doctor, especially an ophthalmologist, as soon as possible. If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent vision loss. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of saving your vision.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Diabetes is a disease that can cause serious damage to your eyes, even if it has no symptoms in the early stages.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is swelling of the central part of the retina (the macula). This can cause your vision to become blurry and distorted.
- If you have diabetes, it is essential to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist at least once a year .
- If you notice any slight changes in your vision (blurring, tearing, color changes), do not ignore it and see your doctor immediately.
- The best way to prevent and control this condition is to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control.
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