Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when our body doesn't produce enough insulin or when our body can't effectively use the insulin it already produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. According to a recent announcement by the World Health Organization, approximately 346 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. In our country, it is estimated that more than 900,000 people, or 8% of the total population, have the "sweet disease".
Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, over time, leads to serious damage in the human body. Eye problems are often associated with diabetes and, in some cases, can significantly affect our vision. Large epidemiological studies have shown that approximately one-third of patients with diabetes exhibit pathological findings in the back of their eyes, while an additional 10% of diabetic individuals are at serious risk of losing their vision. It is not coincidental that diabetes in the eye, known as diabetic retinopathy, is the most common cause of blindness in the working-age population (20-74 years old) in the modern Western world. Diabetes and its complications have a significant economic impact on individuals, their families, National Health Systems, and countries in general. It has been estimated that the economic cost of reduced vision, a consequence of diabetes, whether it translates into reduced productivity, days of absence from work, or treatment costs, exceeds €250,000 per patient. Furthermore, these epidemiological and economic parameters become even more significant given the expected tripling of the diabetic population by 2050. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to address the problem at its root with prevention, information, and early diagnosis programs, before irreversible ophthalmological changes occur.
Early diagnosis and targeted treatment play a decisive role in preventing serious vision loss associated with diabetes. This can be achieved in many ways, among which the most important are adequate regulation of blood sugar and maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol at normal levels. All patients with diabetes understand the importance of these factors; however, they may overlook their importance for the health of their eyes. It is enough for them to be informed that every one-unit reduction in glycated hemoglobin (e.g., from 9% to 8%) reduces the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by 30-40%. In addition, all patients with diabetes should undergo specialized ophthalmological examination and fundus photography at least once a year, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. If signs of diabetic retinopathy are present, the frequency of visits should be increased to every 3 to 6 months, depending on the severity. The assessment of disease severity is further ensured by performing specialized tests, such as fluorescein angiography, OCT-A (angiography without fluorescein), and OCT. Thus, this approach ensures the diagnosis of the disease, the adequate staging of the disease, and, if necessary, the planning of the necessary therapeutic intervention. Today, modern ophthalmologists have a variety of treatment options available, including laser therapy, intravitreal injections, or even surgery, the effectiveness of which is largely determined by their timely application.
Therefore, we understand that diabetes is not just a simple disease but a broader social phenomenon. The proliferation of diabetes cases, a result of modern lifestyle and diet, tends to turn this disease into a global epidemic. Dealing with it requires the cooperation of doctors from different specialties with the parallel organization of social structures for information and prevention."
