The Department of Endocrinology runs a dedicated Diabetic Ophthalmology Clinic in collaboration with the Schell Eye Hospital, CMC Vellore. The clinic was established in 2010 with the objective of streamlining the evaluation and management of ocular complications associated with diabetes mellitus.
This collaborative clinic facilitates early detection, timely intervention, and comprehensive care for diabetes-related eye disorders, thereby helping to prevent vision loss and improve long-term visual outcomes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease that affects multiple organs, including the eyes. Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing various ocular conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts. However, the most significant and common diabetes-related eye complication is diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when prolonged high blood glucose levels damage the blood vessels of the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye responsible for vision. As retinal damage progresses, vision may gradually deteriorate, leading to blurring, reduced visual clarity, and, in advanced stages, partial or complete vision loss.
This condition can affect individuals with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes, underscoring the importance of optimal glycaemic control, lifestyle modification, and regular eye screening. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may be asymptomatic or cause only subtle visual changes. If left undetected and untreated, the condition can progress to severe visual impairment and blindness.
Common symptoms associated with diabetic retinopathy:
- Floaters, or dots and dark strings, in your field of vision
- Dark or empty areas in your field of vision
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty focusing
- Vision changes that seem to fluctuate
- Altered color vision
- Partial or total vision loss
Endocrine department runs Diabetic Ophthalmology clinic in association with Schell Eye Hospital, CMC Velore . The clinic was started in 2010 to streamline the management of clinical issues associated with problems in Eyes due to Diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that profoundly affects many areas of your body, including your eyes. It increases your risk for eye conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts. The primary concern for eye health in people with diabetes is the development of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that develops when the blood vessels in your retina become damaged. The retina is the light-sensitive portion of the back of your eye. As the damage worsens, you may begin losing your vision. Your eyesight may become blurry, less intense, and begin to disappear. This condition can affect people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you live with diabetes, the more likely you are to develop complications like diabetic retinopathy. This is why adopting lifestyle changes and learning to manage diabetes is so important. In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms. The initial symptoms may be barely noticeable or mild. Over time, the condition can worsen and lead to partial and then complete blindness.
Common symptoms associated with diabetic retinopathy:
- Floaters, or dots and dark strings, in your field of vision
- Dark or empty areas in your field of vision
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty focusing
- Vision changes that seem to fluctuate
- Altered color vision
- Partial or total vision loss
