Ocular Health Screening in a Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Population
The general goal of ocular health screenings is the early detection of what could lead
to vision threatening diseases such as; age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic
retinopathy and glaucoma.
An individual that is affected with diabetes might also be susceptible in developing glaucoma
and cataracts. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disorder, mostly affecting children
but can also be diagnosed later in life.
T1DM results in the destruction of pancreatic β-cells that produce insulin.
It has been reported that over 5% of the children worldwide, which is about 95 million children,
are affected by T1DM. This number is expected to grow and the children will remain on daily
self-administration of fast and slow acting insulin until a cure is found.
T1DM not only affects the glucose levels in the body but also affects various organs such as
kidneys as well as extremities such as nerve end damage to feet.
Some of the effects of diabetes T1DM can include: weight loss,
infections, slow healing of cuts and wounds, headaches, confusion, fatigue, blurry vision, blindness and coma.
These interconnected issues have a toll on the person’s life and their loved ones.
Left poorly controlled, the life expectancy can be shortened by as much as 12-years,
hence, the importance of re-enforcement in diabetes care education and a well maintained daily program.
The importance of yearly ocular screenings with careful daily self-monitoring
of glucose and HbA1c levels play an important role in safe glucose levels.
Diabetes Res Open J. 2018; 4(1): 12-17. doi: 10.17140/DROJ-4-138
