Diabetes-Related Eye Disease – A Guide to Eye Health

American Optometric Association

Author: Vivian Benjamin

The main factor of blindness in humans is the disease called Diabetic Retinopathy. However, this disease is largely prevented by incorporating holistic and medical interventions. Diabetic retinopathy develops in nearly 27% of the population globally. Recent data shows many young adults are developing diabetes worldwide, and most of them are showing signs of early-onset diabetic complications.


Let’s talk about diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is predominantly one of the major non-communicable diseases, (NCD) affecting millions around the world. Non-communicable disease is an illness that is caused by unhealthy lifestyles and behaviours. Examples of NCDs are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory disease. According to data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NCDs kill 41 million people each year.



Diabetes is a metabolic disease defined by the increase in the level of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia), due to defects in insulin secretion (hormone produces by the pancreas) and/or insulin action or both. When you consume food, the body breaks it down to sugar (glucose) and releases it into the bloodstream. Insulin is then released to control the level of glucose in your body.



Types of diabetes

1. Type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells are destroyed; by an autoimmune process (the body attacks itself by mistake). As a result, our bodies produce little or no insulin.


2. Type 2 diabetes
Impaired beta cell functioning, resulting in reduced insulin production and decreased insulin sensitivity are the causes of type 2 diabetes.


3. Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy and the unborn baby has a higher risk to develop health problems. It usually goes away after the baby is born.



Risk factors of diabetes:

•    Family history
•    Obesity
•    Hypertension
•    High level of cholesterol
•    Sedentary lifestyle
•    Poor diet

Symptoms of diabetes:

•   Polyphagia (increased appetite)
•    Polydipsia (increased thirst)
•    Polyuria (increased urination)
•    Other symptoms include tingling or numbness in hands or feet, fatigue, vision changes, wounds slow to heal,    dry skin, and recurrent infections.

Complications of diabetes:

•    Diabetic foot
•     Diabetic retinopathy (eye complications)
•     Diabetic neuropathy (kidney complications)
•     Diabetic nephropathy (nerve damage)

Now, let’s explore diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the primary and progressive complications of diabetes. It is caused by changes in the small blood vessels in the retina (the area of the eye that receives images and sends information to the brain). Patients generally have no symptoms (asymptomatic) at the early onset of this disease. Nevertheless, symptoms start to emerge as the disease progresses.



Patients start to notice symptoms such as blurred vision, floaters, and distortion. Diabetes cannot be healed completely nonetheless, it can be remitted (Diabetes remittance is still new in research, and more study is needed to confirm its success) However, we can help save our eyes by integrating a holistic approach into our everyday life for instance; managing our diet and leading a healthy and positive lifestyle.




An overview of the eyes
At times, the capability to see the world’s beauty can be taken for granted. The eye is a sensitive organ, susceptible to various disorders predominantly impaired vision. Damaged vision affects us greatly in our everyday lives. It limits our independence, safety, self-esteem, work, and lifestyle choices. Unlike most organs in our body, the anatomy of the eye can be easily assessed for examinations.



The eyeball is situated in a protective bony structure called the orbit. It is surrounded by connective tissues, adipose tissues, and muscles. Annual checks are recommended to nurture your eye health. Common eye problems are low vision and blindness, conjunctivitis, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.



Eye disorders stem from different causes. However, commonly it is caused by age, chronic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, poor lifestyles, and trauma. I would like to walk you through how diabetes and eye health are associated with each other. Moreover, I would like to talk about how you can support your eyes from the inside and outside.





Cultivating healthy eyes from the inside
1. Nutrition
Nutrition is the chief principle in sustaining your body from the inside. Consuming various vitamins and minerals in your daily diet can help care for your eyes. Aside from that, adding the three main macronutrients (carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins) are also essential in overall eye health. Eating a balanced and diverse kind of food is the key to long-lasting health and well-being. Here are some examples of nutrients to sustain eye health:
 

Zeaxanthin and Lutein
Zeaxanthin and Lutein are both a type of carotenoids (antioxidants) found in food. These carotenoids are the ones that give the food the yellow and red colours. Antioxidants are significant in your body’s health because it helps protect you from things that damage your cells and free radicals.


Zeaxanthin and Lutein both exist in our bodies and naturally protect us against the light. Antioxidants absorb fat; similar to fat-soluble vitamins therefore; make sure you have some good fats in your diet.

Examples of food:

•    Green vegetables (spinach, kale, swiss chard, parsley)
•    Corn
•    Egg yolk
•    Pumpkin, squash, zucchini
•    Broccoli

 

Vitamin A, C, E
Vitamins A and E are fat-soluble vitamins that are best for eye health. When you add food containing these vitamins, ensure you add some good fats. Vitamin C helps protect your cells from free radicals. It is essential for the growth and development of cells.


Examples of vitamin A food:

•     Egg yolk
•     Liver
•    Carrot
•    Spinach

Examples of vitamin E food:

•     Sunflower seeds
•    Almonds
•    Sweet potatoes
•    Vegetable oils such as (corn oil, and flax seed oil)

Examples of vitamin C food:

•    Grapefruit
•    Guava
•    Papaya
•     Orange
•     Bell peppers

Essential fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are significant for visual development and retinal function. Examples of food:

•     Salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines
•     Nuts (walnuts, almonds)
•     Seeds (flaxseed, chia seed)

Zinc
This trace mineral plays a key role in transporting vitamin A from the liver to the retina to produce melanin. Examples of food:

•   Oysters 
•    Turkey
•     Pumpkin seeds
•    Peanuts
•    Eggs

 


2. Other methods to improve eye health is being physically active, having sufficient sleep and managing stress. Exercising improves cardiometabolic health and subsequently; helps improve eye health. Your body is known to function as a whole so, if one system or organ ceases to function the others will gradually be affected.



Furthermore, having a good sleep for 7-9 hours a day helps keep your body healthy. In addition to that, sleeping improves overall productivity and rejuvenates the body.



Another factor to sustain eye health is managing stress positively. Besides that, lose weight if you are overweight and obese. Similarly, control your blood sugar if you are diabetic.





Cultivating healthy eyes from the outside
You can help keep your eyes healthy even from the outside. Presently, our world contains harmful substances and pollution that damage our eye health. It is easy to forget about these things when we are all busy in our daily lives.

Examples of how we can protect our eyes from the outside:

•     Don’t sit in front of the television or computer for a long time. The light from these electronic appliances             can  harm your eyes. Refrain also from watching movies with the lights off.

•     Wear goggles when you are dealing with a harmful substance that may irritate the eyes.

•     Wear sunglasses to avoid exposure to the sun.

•     If you are wearing contact lenses make sure you clean them properly.

•     Throw away old eye makeup

•     Don’t touch your eyes with dirty hands

•     Take care if you are in a place that has a high record of air pollution

•     Go for an annual eye check-up

 





All in all
Both diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy are conditions that progress over time. These diseases have been rising among people all over the world. However, a recent study shows that remittance is possible (although more research is needed to clarify this matter).


You can help to keep your blood glucose in check and keep your eyes safe even if you are diagnosed with this illness. Holistic intervention is a great strategy to apply in your life. But remember; always check in with your doctor, registered dietician, or nutritionist before you start anything. Let’s not lose the ability to see more beautiful things in our lives, when we live only once.
 
 
 







​References
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 3. Ya‐Nan Li, Hong‐Wen Liang, and Chun‐Lin Zhang et al. (2022); Ophthalmic Solution of Smart Supramolecular Peptides to Capture        Semaphorin 4D against Diabetic Retinopathy; Advanced Science; Vol. 10 (3). 
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