Glaucoma Cataracts Diabetes
Glaucoma Cataracts Diabetes
Peter D’Arcy OPTOMETRIST BEGA monitors such conditions utilising where necessary Canon OCT (optical coherence tomography) to aid in evaluation ensuring maximum vision is preserved and corrected. The latest Canon OCT allows for high resolution evaluation of eye anatomy eg high definition cross sectional and three dimensional images to determine the extent of complications.
Your eyetest for glaucoma
- A family history of glaucoma
- High eye pressure
- Age over 50
- African or Asian descended ethnicity
- Diabetes
- Short or long sightedness
- Previous history of eye injury
- Past or present prolonged use of cortisone drugs
- Migraine
- High or low blood pressure
- Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
- Half of people with this condition in Australia are undiagnosed.
- There may be no warning symptoms.
- More than 95% is undiagnosed in developing countries.
- Early detection and adherence to treatment are vital.
- Glaucoma is a complex disease, Family history is vital .
- Genetic testing is being developed as over 100 genes cause glaucoma.
- Over 40 per cent of people have a positive family history.
- Many systemic and ocular conditions can be associated.
- Glaucoma Australia promotes the risk awareness campaign for developing glaucoma affecting over 300,000 Australians to encourage regular eye testing.
- The prevalence of diabetes and glaucoma is climbing rapidly.
- Serious complications include diabetic eye disease.
- We can monitor Visual fields by Medmont computerised perimetry.
- We can assess vision,and any vision loss and monitor for referral including cataracts.
- While anyone may develop glaucoma, if you have a first degree relative with glaucoma you have a 1 in 4 chance of developing glaucoma as well.
- Over 40 per cent of people have a first degree relative (parent, brother or sister) affected by glaucoma.
- A drop size of a commercial eyedropper bottle can be as large as 50-75 microlitres and the conjunctival sac is capable on holding only 25-30 microlitres so some is lost within 30 seconds but total amount instilled disappearing within 10-20 min.
OCT scan | Ocular Coherence Tomography
Laser light from the red end of the visible spectrum (close to infra-red) is bounced back in different directions and manifests as an ultra accurate map of the anatomical structures.The Canon OCT has 3 μm optical axial resolution 70,000 A scan/second allowing for accurate 10 layer segmentation,comparison and progression. It is non invasive and non contact. While nine out of 10 Australians say that sight is their most valued sense, over 8 million Australians are still not having regular eye tests though recommended.
Ideal glaucoma treatments include eye drops:
Punctal occlusion should be carried out for a period of 3 minutes to prevent side effects. It can also be done by simply closing the eye or pushing the tear ducts located in the inner corner of the eyelids.
Your eye test for cataract
Referral can be recommended for cataract surgery at the appropriate time for cataract removal.
Cataracts are very common in the long term with advancing age but can be present at birth or later as a result of metabolic conditions, medications, exposure to radiation,electric shock, trauma, and ocular or systemic diseases.Such clouding of all or part of the lens may effect sight differently in bright light or dim light as the pupil will be a different size. Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness and treatment of cataracts is the most common eye surgery performed
Causes of cataracts include
- Excessive exposure to UV to the lens of the eye
- Omitting to wear sunglasses which can prevent cataract.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- High blood pressure.
- Previous eye injury or inflammation.
- Previous eye surgery.
- Protein clumping within the lens
Signs and symptoms
- Frequent changes in spectacle or contact lens prescription
- Clouded, blurred,distorted or dull vision.
- Poor contrast sensitivity.
- Increasing difficulty with vision at night
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
- Seeing “halos” around lights
- Fading or yellowing of colors or colour deficiency.
Congenital cataracts not withstanding a cataract is a clouding of the transparent tissue behind the iris that occurs in so called age related cataract.
Types of cataracts are graded by density and location during eye examinations during the early stages to ensure the risk of cataracts and other eye conditions does not degrade vision.
A nuclear cataract forms deep in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens. Nuclear cataracts usually are associated with aging. A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens often associated with diabetes or steroid medications. The cortical cataracts are spoke like cataracts that tend to develop from the periphery of the lens towards the center.
Cataract type can vary from Nuclear,Posterior sub capsule, Morgagnian(A Morgagnian cataract arises when a cortical cataract becomes hypermature. ) (Pseudo exfoliation can sometimes be present with glaucoma.)Normal, Immature,Mature Hypermature,Cortical
IOL (Intraocular lens) designs can vary as well.
Your eye test for diabetes as advised by the Government Keepsight program
Early diagnosis and intervention can dramatically reduce vision loss. Diabetes is the biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system and is largely preventable. It is projected to afflict up to 10% of the population.
Higher-than-optimal levels of blood glucose increases risk of cardiovascular and other diseases.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production and type 2 diabetes results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. While type 2 diabetes is potentially preventable, the causes and risk factors for type 1 diabetes remain unknown, and prevention strategies have not yet been successful.
Type 2 accounts for the majority of cases of diabetes worldwide. Higher waist circumference and higher body mass index (BMI) are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, though the relationship may vary in different populations. Type 2 diabetes in children is increasing.
DIABETES SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing for the past 3 decades, mirroring an increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight people. In particular, the prevalence of diabetes is growing most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the world Complete loss of vision can occur when scar tissue develops at the back of the eye. Through the Federal Government KeepSight program, all consumers registered with diabetes on the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), will be contacted specifically to have eye and vision monitoring as part of the overall diabetes management
50% of people currently living with diabetes remain undiagnosed despite the fact diabetes is a leading cause of serious health issues
Type 1 diabetes is a serious, autoimmune condition in which the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age.Type 1 diabetes is not linked to lifestyle factors, it cannot be cured and it cannot be prevented wheras Type 2 is associated with both genetic and modifiable lifestyle risk factors.
- Healthy diet including Omega 3s, fresh fruits and vegetables;
- Take prescribed medication as directed;
- Keep glycohemoglobin (“A1c” or average blood sugar level) < 7%
- Exercise regularly ,Control high blood pressure
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Beware of slow healing wounds
- Seek attention for numbness in feet and hands.
- Sudden blurred or double vision
- Fluctuations in focusing
- Eye pain or pressure
- A noticeable narrowing of vision
- Visible dark spots in vision or flashing lights.
- excessive thirst and frequent urination
- lethargy
- Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and loses the capacity to produce enough insulin.
- Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days and a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Heart Attack,Stroke
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic Foot
- Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney failure)
- Peripheral Neuropathy (lower limb amputation)
- Blindness
- Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that can occurs just during pregnancy but increases a woman’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
- We can enhance vision by supplementary glasses and electronic magnification and timely referral for laser , injections or surgery.
- Management includes blood glucose control through diet, physical activity,medication; control of blood pressure and lipids to reduce cardiovascular risk and other complications; and regular screening for damage to the eyes, kidneys and feet, to facilitate early treatment.
The longer a person lives with undiagnosed and untreated diabetes, the worse their health outcomes are likely to be.
Most people with type 1 diabetes and over 60% of people with type 2 diabetes will develop diabetic eye disease within 20 years of diagnosis.