Regrettably, diabetes is one of the leading causes of new blindness in the U.S. Around 10% of those with diabetes suffer from DME. Learning how to protect their eye health and prevent blindness is essential for diabetes patients.
What Is Diabetic Macular Edema?
Often, people are not diagnosed with dme progression until damage has already begun. People can develop DME with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When blood sugar levels are out of control and remain high, they can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition that can affect a person's vision due to damage to the retina. Over time, this damage leads to swelling in the macula, which is where sharp and straight-ahead vision occurs. DME is more likely to occur as diabetic retinopathy advances.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Macular Edema?
Diabetic patients are at risk of developing DME, especially if their condition is not controlled. Diabetic patients need to schedule yearly eye examinations to ensure the health of their eyes is not being impeded by their disease. The following are some of the symptoms people with DME may experience.
· Double vision
· Blurred vision
· A sudden and dramatic increase in eye floaters
If a person notices any of the above symptoms, they need to see their eye doctor right away. Early detection is critical for the management of diabetic macular edema.
Risk Factors for Developing Diabetic Macular Edema
Understanding the risk factors for developing DME is essential. The following are some factors that increase the odds of someone developing diabetic retinopathy and eventually DME.
· Long-term poorly controlled high blood sugar
· Living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years
· Extremely high blood pressure
· Chronic fluid retention
· Kidney disease
· Chronically high blood lipid levels
· Gestational diabetes
Is DME Preventable?
It is possible to prevent diabetic macular edema, but it requires a concerted effort from the patient and their medical team. Those at risk for DME development need to consider the following.
· Maintain good health, including blood sugar, blood pressure, and kidneys.
· Receive a dilated eye exam yearly.
· Receive a dilated eye exam with gestational diabetes.
· Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
How Do Doctors Treat DME?
Diabetic macular edema worsens over time. Finding the disease early allows for better treatment options and protection against vision loss. The following are some of the ways doctors will treat their patients who have diabetic macular edema.
· Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs are used to block the body from creating new blood vessels and stop vessel leakage.
· Laser therapy is used to destroy leaking blood vessels in the eyes.
· Steroid injections into the eye decrease the damage done by DME and improve vision over time.
See a Doctor Right Away
Those who have factors that increase their risk of developing DME need routine eye exams to ensure the condition is not present. DME occurs subtly at first, and many people may not realize they have it until the damage progresses. Once full vision loss occurs, it cannot be reversed, though doctors can slow the progression of the disease and help protect their patients' vision.
Those with DME should ask about the treatments above and use low-vision aids to improve their quality of life, including magnifying glasses and high-intensity reading lamps. These devices make living with DME easier.
