Diabetes is a disease that causes the functioning of the entire body system to become unbalanced and needs to be kept under constant control. Just as it causes problems such as circulatory disorders, diabetes can also affect eye health. It can even increase the effect of some eye disorders and accelerate the progression of the disease. Cataracts are shown among these eye conditions. So what is the relationship between diabetes and cataracts? Let’s explain.
Does Diabetes Increase Cataract Risk?
The main factor here is of course the substance glucose. We already see the uncontrolled effect of glucose in diabetes. I will explain the effect on the eye in 3 parts.
High Glucose in Eye Fluid
The relationship is also involved in the nutrition of the lens of the eye. The lens obtains its nutrients from the fluid in the front of the eye. If you are diabetic, your blood glucose levels will be high. Due to high glucose levels, we see an excessive amount of glucose passing into the fluid in the eye. Since this fluid is the fluid that feeds the lens, the lens receives excess glucose and swelling of the lens occurs.
Sorbitol Accumulation
When there are high levels of glucose in the lens cells, this excess glucose is converted into sorbitol. Sorbitol can accumulate in the eye. As a result of accumulation, deterioration in the internal structure of the lens may occur. Distortions in the lens structure cause the lens to lose clarity and become opaque.
Direct Impact on Cataract Development
Opacification, caused by excess glucose and the sorbitol deposits we mentioned, means that the transparent structure of the lens deteriorates. The person’s vision gradually becomes blurred and loses clarity. As a result, cataract development begins. A progressive process means that the person’s vision deteriorates further over time.
Final Words
As you can summarize above, the relationship between diabetes and cataracts is very clear. Diabetes, if left uncontrolled and untreated, has an accelerating effect on the development of cataracts. For this reason, people with the disease should definitely go to regular doctor controls and have regular checks for eye health. Especially for individuals who are more prone to cataract formation, diabetes should be treated as a fully accelerating factor.
