Diabetes Causes Cataracts at a Young Age

Turkish Ophthalmology Association (TOD), in a statement regarding World Diabetes Day on 14 November, pointed out that Turkey is the European country with the highest prevalence of diabetes and explained that patients unaware of their diabetes condition face a risk of vision loss.

Prof. Dr. Nurten Ünlü, Head of the Medical Retina Unit at Turkish Ophthalmology Association, made statements regarding the 'World Diabetes Day'. Noting that diabetes is an insidious disease from an ophthalmological perspective and can cause various problems including vision disorders and early-onset cataracts, he stated that healthy nutrition and increased physical activity are important for eye health. He emphasized that the eye is one of the organs most damaged by diabetes and that this disease, regarded as the plague of the century, is a significant public health issue. He warned that diabetic patients should visit an eye doctor at least once a year even if they have no eye complaints. According to figures from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are approximately 7 million diagnosed diabetic patients in Turkey in the 20-79 age range, a figure equivalent to approximately 15% of the total adult population, and with this ratio, Turkey has the highest diabetes prevalence rate among European countries.

Risk of blindness is very high

Prof. Dr. Nurten Ünlü stated that diabetes can affect our eyes across a wide spectrum, from simple and temporary vision changes to permanent vision loss. He noted that cataracts are more frequently observed in diabetic patients, and patients may also experience double vision complaints. He further said that diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss through damage to retinal blood vessels and the formation of abnormal new blood vessels. Providing information that "diabetic macular edema is the accumulation of blood and fluid leaking from weakened vessels at any point during the course of diabetic retinopathy in the macula, the vision center," Ünlü continued: "Diabetes is an insidious disease from an ophthalmological perspective. It causes early-onset cataracts. In uncontrolled diabetes, the patient's prescription can change rapidly. There can be progression to high myopia. If a patient needs to change glasses every three to four months, their blood sugar needs to be controlled. As diabetes duration increases, the risk of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy also increases. Other risk factors accompanying diabetes include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, obesity, kidney disease, anemia, sleep apnea, and pregnancy. The symptoms of diabetic macular edema are blurred vision, faded color perception, seeing objects in different shapes and sizes, black spots in the visual field, and seeing straight lines as wavy or broken. Diabetic macular edema, which can cause vision impairment and blindness in diabetic patients, significantly impairs patients' quality of life and reduces their ability to cope with both the disease itself and diabetes. Since diabetic macular edema is especially seen in people of working age, it causes a significant burden both for the individual and for society."

Early diagnosis is critically important

Prof. Dr. Nurten Ünlü added that approximately 50% of diabetic patients both worldwide and in our country are diagnosed, and that a large proportion of diabetic patients learn they have diabetes during an eye examination. He stated: "For this reason, early diagnosis and early-initiated treatment are of great importance. For early diagnosis, diabetic patients must regularly undergo eye examinations. Starting treatment early can stop or slow the development of vision loss. In treatment, correcting metabolic disorders related to diabetes is also important. Blood glucose levels, blood pressure, serum lipids, and heart and kidney functions should be maintained at normal values as much as possible. Besides this, many risk factors can be modified through regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight."