Complications Affecting the Eyes
Other
diabetes complications affect the eyes. High blood glucose and
high blood pressure from diabetes can hurt four parts of your eye:
- Retina. The retina is the lining at the back of the eye. The retina's job is to sense light coming into the eye.
- Vitreous. The vitreous is a jelly-like fluid that fills the back of the eye.
- Lens. The lens is at the front of the eye, and it focuses light on the retina.
- Optic nerve. The optic nerve is the eye's main nerve to the brain.
Diabetic retinopathy is the medical term for the most common diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.
Two other common diabetes complications seen with the eyes include
cataracts and
glaucoma. People without diabetes can get these eye problems, too, but people with diabetes get them more often and at a younger age.
Complications in the Feet
Diabetes can also cause problems with the feet. In fact, almost 30 percent of people with diabetes aged 40 years or older have impaired sensation in the feet (that is, at least one area that lacks feeling).
The most common complications of diabetes seen in the feet include:
- Nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy
- Poor blood flow, known as peripheral vascular disease
- Infections.
All of these foot problems can increase the risk for a foot ulcer, which is a potential serious diabetes complication. Diabetic foot ulcers are at high risk of becoming infected, and sometimes they cannot be healed. Non-healing foot ulcers are a frequent cause of amputation in people with diabetes. Patients with foot ulcers may use wound dressings, skin substitutes, or other treatments to protect and heal their skin.
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