WARNING: YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DIABETES AT INCREASED RISK OF EYE DAMAGE
Experts predict that the number of young people with type 1 diabetes worldwide will nearly triple and the number with type 2 diabetes will quadruple by 2050. This will increase the risk of eye disease and change treatment goals to maintain vision in young people with diabetes.
4/18/2023 2:27:57 PM
In reality, diabetes complications can greatly affect health and become a danger for patients. However, with appropriate treatment methods combined with lifestyle adjustments, it is possible to prevent or delay these complications.
One of the complications of diabetes is the increased risk of eye damage. Nowadays, diabetes complications are increasing and the age of onset is getting younger. The incidence of diabetic retinopathy in young people with diabetes is higher than normal and is higher in type 2 diabetes than in type 1.
According to a recent study by Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (USA), children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes are at high risk of eye problems. The researchers followed 525 people under 22 years of age and found that the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in the first 15 years of type 2 diabetes was 88% higher than in type 1 diabetes. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy before puberty is very low. The average age of diagnosis of eye disease in children with diabetes is around 12 years old.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), factors such as smoking, excessive weight gain, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diet high in saturated and trans fats, and high salt intake can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. A 2021 study by the institute on 200 children and adolescents found that the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes was 9.1%, higher than in type 1 diabetes (5.6%). This rate is at an average level after 8 years of diabetes diagnosis for both groups.
Experts predict that the number of young people with type 1 diabetes worldwide will nearly triple and the number with type 2 diabetes will quadruple by 2050. This will increase the risk of eye disease and change treatment goals to maintain vision in young people with diabetes.
Experts suggest that to prevent serious eye complications, children with diabetes, especially type 2, need more frequent eye exams than healthy children. Regular health checkups are also a way to prevent diabetes in adolescents. Preventing this disease early is very important in reducing the risk of vision loss when young. When already diagnosed, timely and appropriate treatment can help prevent or delay eye complications.
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