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Diabetic Eye Disease Topic Guide

Diabetic Eye Disease Diabetic Eye Disease:

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US and worldwide. Diabetic eye disease is a complication from diabetes. Types of diabetic eye disease include

  • blindness,
  • background diabetic retinopathy,
  • nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy,
  • diabetic macular edema,
  • proliferative diabetic retinopathy,
  • cataracts, and
  • glaucoma.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy includes blurry or hazy vision, difficulty focusing, and night glare from oncoming lights. Causes of diabetic eye disease occur over time due to hypoglycemia (high blood sugar) and other abnormalities in metabolism found in people with diabetes. Treatment for diabetes eye problems depends on the type of eye problem. Medication and surgery for diabetes eye problems may be necessary in addition to lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking.

Read the Diabetic Eye Disease Main Article
Doctor's Notes on Diabetic Eye Disease Symptoms

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Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is caused by overmedication, use of certain medications, use of alcohol, missed meals, kidney or liver infection, and more. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Treatment of hypoglycemia in a person with diabetes is glucose (sugar). If the cause is another disease or condition, treatment will depend on the cause of the hypoglycemia.

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Diabetic Eye Disease Topic Guide - Visuals

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Diabetic Eye Disease Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins

Medications:

pramlintide Pramlintide

Pramlintide is a man-made form of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. Pramlintide lowers blood sugar in three ways. It slows the rate that food mo...learn more »

brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic Brimonidine And Timolol Ophthalmic

Brimonidine reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye...learn more »

dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic Dorzolamide And Timolol Ophthalmic

Dorzolamide ophthalmic reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye...learn more »

carteolol ophthalmic Carteolol Ophthalmic

Carteolol is a beta-blocker that reduces pressure inside the eye...learn more »

betaxolol ophthalmic Betaxolol Ophthalmic

Betaxolol is a beta-blocker that reduces pressure inside the eye...learn more »

timolol ophthalmic Timolol Ophthalmic

Timolol is a beta-blocker that also reduces pressure inside the eye...learn more »

glimepiride Glimepiride

Glimepiride is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels...learn more »

pilocarpine ophthalmic Pilocarpine Ophthalmic

Pilocarpine reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye...learn more »

methazolamide Methazolamide

Methazolamide reduces the activity of a protein in your body called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this protein can help reduce the amount of fluid in the eye...learn more »

fosinopril Fosinopril

Fosinopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme...learn more »

acetazolamide Acetazolamide

Acetazolamide reduces the activity of a protein in your body called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this protein can help reduce the build-up of certain fluids...learn more »