If you have diabetes, you most likely have experienced blood vessel damage without your knowledge. Diabetes leads to damage of the small and large blood vessels leading to a host of conditions including diabetic retinopathy. This is because the eye is a complex organ that contains numerous small blood vessels.
Diabetes and eyes – Iris diseases
Diseases of the iris that are caused due to diabetes.
- Iritis (Diabetic Anterior uveitis)
- Iris Transluminance
- Rubeosis iridis
Iritis (Anterior Uveitis) Symptoms
This conditions is caused due to the inflammation of the iris and the ciliary body. In people with diabetes, this condition generally precedes diabetic neuropathy of the autonomic nerves (diabetic autonomic neuropathy). Iritis is more common among people with type1diabetes.
People with diabetic autonomic neuropathy also leads to heart rate variability, gastric issues like diabetic diarrhea, postural hypotension, and diabetic bladder. When it comes to diabetes and eyes, iritis also known as diabetic anterior uveitis. This condition is known to be caused due to the inflammation of the iris with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). It is more common in people whose diabetes is not controlled properly.
Symptoms of Diabetic anterior uveitis (iritis)
- Sensitivity to light
- Decreased vision (visual acuity)
- Pain in the eye (eyes in case of iritis in both eyes)
- Redness of the eyes
Iris Transluminance Symptoms
Iris transluminance or transillumination is a condition that is more common in type 2 diabetes. In this condition, there are changes in the translucency of the iris and is considered as a diabetic retinopathy symptom. This condition is known to be caused due to abnormalities of small blood vessels resulting in improper oxygen supply to the iris.
This condition generally doesn’t show up in the form of symptoms and is detected through ocular examinations like fundus photos and other tests. However, some patients might experience:
- Redness of the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Rubeosis Iridis Symptoms
Rubeosis iridis occurs in people with diabetes due to the degeneration of small blood vessels in the eyes. This leads to the formation of new and unstable blood vessels that might leak blood into the surrounding areas. The formation of new and unstable blood vessels is known as neovascularization and is a diabetic retinopathy symptom.
Symptoms include:
- Decreased vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness of the eyes
- Pain in the eyes
