Diabetic eye problems are generally caused due to blood vessel and nerve damage that occur due to high sugar levels. These are further complicated with the presence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart problems. Poor diabetes control is known to be a major cause for many diabetic eye diseases including conditions of the iris.
Diabetes and eyes – Diagnosis of Iris diseases
Diabetic eye problems of the iris include iritis (anterior uveitis), iris transluminance, and rubeosis iridis. These conditions arise due to poorly controlled diabetes and chronic high blood sugar levels.
Diagnosis of iritis (anterior uveitis)
Iritis or anterior uveitis occurs more in people with type 1 diabetes and people with other diabetes complications like diabetic neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Anterior uveitis or iritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the iris. Though this condition is caused due to infectious diseases, it occurs more in people with type 1 diabetes due to nonspecific causes.
In order to diagnose iritis or anterior uveitis, it is important to consider the clinical presentation of the patient. Tests to diagnose anterior uveitis include:
- Slit-lamp examination
- B-scan ultrasonography
- Fluorescein angiography
- Optical coherence tomography
- Ultrasound biomicroscopy
Based on the findings and the presence of other conditions like herpes, Behcet’s disease, and ankylosing spondylosis, treatment is provided.
Diagnosis of iris transluminance
Iris transluminance is a condition that is caused due to lack of oxygen supply to the iris. Iris transluminance is considered as a diabetic retinopathy symptom and is a diabetes complication that is a signifier of progressive diabetic retinopathy.
Diagnosis of iris transluminance is diagnosed using tests like:
- Dilated fundus examination
- Slit-lamp examination
- Visual acuity tests
- B-scan ultrasonography
- Optical coherence tomography
- Fluorescein angiography
Diagnosis of rubeosis iridis
Rubeosis iridis is a diabetic eye problem in which there is presence of new and unstable blood vessels that can leak fluids into the surrounding areas. This condition can lead to retinal detachment, and neovascular glaucoma. Rubeosis iridis is considered another clinical diabetic retinopathy symptom.
- Slit-lamp examination
- Visual acuity test
- Measurement of intraocular pressure
- Gonioscopy
- Biomicroscopy of iris
- Dilated fundus examination
- Electroretinography
