The number of diabetes patients, which has emerged as a leading disease among modern people due to Westernized eating habits, lack of exercise, and sedentary lifestyles, is increasing. According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of diabetes patients in 2023 was 3,837,710, an increase of about 19% over five years since 2019. Diabetes is a disease that causes various complications, including eye-related complications, and it can also lead to glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, so caution is necessary.

 

Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is gradually damaged due to various causes such as increased intraocular pressure, leading to narrowing of the visual field and ultimately blindness. Since more than 30% of the optic nerve is damaged before symptoms such as peripheral vision loss appear, glaucoma is one of the eye diseases that are difficult to notice early on. Once the optic nerve is damaged, it is difficult to recover, so early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma are very important.

If you have diabetes, microvascular circulation may be impaired, leading to damage in the tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes. In such cases, the eye can produce new blood vessels to compensate for the lack of blood and nutrients. These newly formed blood vessels in the eye are very fragile and unstable compared to normal vessels, making them prone to rupture, bleeding, and inflammation. They can also obstruct the smooth flow of aqueous humor that maintains intraocular pressure, leading to increased eye pressure and the development of glaucoma. This condition is called 'neovascular glaucoma.'

 

Neovascular glaucoma, like general glaucoma, is difficult to detect in its early stages. This is because neovascularization may not be present in the anterior chamber angle responsible for intraocular pressure, or the degree of neovascular proliferation may be minimal, resulting in normal intraocular pressure. However, when neovascularization occurs in the anterior chamber angle, it can affect the outflow of aqueous humor, the fluid flowing inside the eye, leading to increased intraocular pressure, eye pain, conjunctival injection, and corneal edema. When intraocular pressure rises, the optic nerve inside the eye becomes compressed and gradually weakens, causing the visual field to narrow over time, which can eventually lead to blindness. Once the optic nerve is damaged, it is difficult to recover, and if proper treatment is not provided, the risk of blindness increases. Therefore, early detection and treatment of neovascular glaucoma are extremely important.

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Therefore, for patients with diabetes, it is first important to thoroughly manage blood sugar levels and regularly check for neovascularization of the iris or anterior chamber angle through eye examinations. Even if neovascularization has already occurred in the iris, early detection allows for treatments such as intravitreal injections or pan-retinal photocoagulation, depending on the state of retinal blood circulation and neovascularization. Additionally, depending on the patient's eye condition, if neovascular glaucoma has progressed significantly and intraocular pressure is high, eye drops to lower intraocular pressure, atropine drops to reduce pain, or steroid eye drops for inflammation can be administered.

 

Dr. Jeong Jong-jin, a specialist at Kim Eye Hospital Glaucoma Center, said, "Neovascular glaucoma is difficult to notice or detect in the early stages," and "If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to manage blood sugar levels diligently, regularly undergo eye examinations regardless of eye symptoms to check for neovascular glaucoma, and also prepare for potential eye complications."

 

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After suffering from diabetes, eye diseases become more prominent.

I need to manage it thoroughly.

 

Consistently going to the hospital for check-ups

I think this is the best method.