Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is used to treat clients with hormonal disorders, mainly in women who have passed their menopausal period. So, what if you combine diabetes with the mix? The impact of HRT on the eyes of the diabetic patients is another area of concern, this is because while diabetes is well known to cause many eye complications the use of HRT seems to have been overlooked.
In this blog, we will discuss how HRT affects diabetes and the effect it may have on your eyes. HRT and diabetes: what you need to know about the effects of hormone replacement therapy if you are currently on HRT or planning for it if you are diabetic.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Eye Health
Diabetes is not only high blood sugar levels but also includes a range of other factors. If left untreated, high blood sugar can harm the blood vessels in your eyes and the result is severe conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. These problems occur because high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensing tissue of the eye.
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most prevalent form of diabetic eye disease that may cause blindness if not well controlled. Other eye complications that are associated with diabetes include poor vision and at times complete loss of vision depending on the severity of the problem.
Diabetes has to be well managed so that there is no adverse effect on the eyes. However, the addition of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in a diabetic patient could alter the way their body processes treatment including the eyes.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
HRT is the use of hormones to supplement the body’s diminished production of hormones; especially estrogen in women after menopausal age or those who have undergone hysterectomy. Usually the two main hormones used are estrogen and progesterone but sometimes testosterone may also be used.
HRT is employed for the management of symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and VMS. But, its influence does not end at that. It is well understood that hormones play a role in regulating metabolism, cardiac health, and, as will be discussed here, ocular health.
HRT is useful for many women, but one has to know how it is connected with diabetes and its impact on the body. Diabetes and HRT can have an influence on how the body regulates blood sugar and therefore, on the eyes.
Impact of HRT on Blood Sugar Levels
Among the first questions that can be put when discussing HRT in diabetic patients is how the treatment influences the blood sugar regulation. Estrogens have been found to affect insulin sensitivity in the body. A few studies indicate that HRT enhances the ability of the body to regulate insulin in women, which could enhance blood sugar control.
However, there is no unique solution to this problem. Some women may experience changes in blood sugar level especially those with type 2 diabetes when taking HRT. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can add or subtract from the efficacy of insulin in the body’s management of glucose. This can make managing the illness, such as diabetes, even more complicated.
Such changes may present a challenge to those who take insulin or other diabetic medicines to make necessary changes. For patients who are on HRT, self-checking of blood glucose levels remains more important than ever, especially when starting the treatment.
Effects of HRT on Diabetic Eye Health
Since blood sugar is directly related to the health of the eyes in diabetes, it is crucial to know how HRT impacts the eyes. As it was said before, diabetes is accompanied with the development of Diabetic Retinopathy, which is a disease that affects the blood vessels of the retina. Nonetheless, no specific study supports the notion that HRT either increases or decreases the rate of diabetic eye disease progression.
It is also possible that hormonal changes due to HRT may have an impact on the eyes indirectly. For instance estrogen has been known to influence the blood vessels, the eye inclusive. When blood glucose is not controlled during HRT, these hormonal changes may lead to the development of retinopathy.
It is also important to know that certain diseases associated with diabetes may be worsened by HRT – for example, high blood pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma and other eye diseases. These combined risks make it especially important for women on HRT who have diabetes to have their eyes checked regularly.
Potential Risks of Using HRT in Diabetic Patients
Despite the beneficial effects of HRT in terms of alleviating menopausal symptoms and possibly improving mood, HRT is not without risks, especially for diabetic patients. It has been established that variations in blood glucose levels affect both acute and chronic ocular function.
Some potential risks include:
- Worsening of Diabetic Retinopathy: When taking HRT, a patient’s blood sugar level may be difficult to regulate, and this will increase the chances of getting diabetic retinopathy.
- Increased Risk of Glaucoma: Fluctuations in hormonal levels are also likely to raise the intraocular pressure and with diabetes it becomes a precursor to glaucoma.
- Cataracts: Diabetes has been known to cause cataracts, which is the clouding of the eye lens that causes blurred vision and so is HRT.
For this reason, one should consult his or her doctor to ensure that both diabetes and the eyes are closely checked while under HRT. That is why it is necessary to visit doctors often to see any signs of complications in their early stages.
Managing Diabetic Eye Health While on HRT
If you have diabetes and are considering or already using HRT, here are some tips to help manage your eye health:
- Monitor Blood Sugar Levels Closely: Monitor your blood glucose levels and take your drugs appropriately. Discuss with your doctor how to manage your diet, so that your blood sugar does not rise too high or too low.
- Schedule Regular Eye Exams: It is recommended that you visit an eye doctor even if you do not have any problems with your vision. Some problems such as diabetic retinopathy should be diagnosed at an early stage to avoid complications.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: There are some basic recommendations that can be given to the patient: take lots of vitamins and eat healthy, exercise, and do not smoke. All these habits may be beneficial to the body and the eyes in particular.
- Consult Your Healthcare Providers: Make sure you stay in touch with both your endocrinologist, the specialist in diabetes, and your ophthalmologist, the eye specialist.
Hormone Replacement Therapy can help to alleviate menopausal symptoms and other hormonal issues but it is important to know how this may affect your diabetes and your eyes. Though the impact of HRT on the eyes of diabetic patients is still under research, one thing is for sure that proper glycemic control is crucial to save your eyes from further damage.
Diabetic patients who are planning or are already on HRT should monitor their eye health carefully if they have diabetes. Both conditions can be safely managed when you consult your doctors and visit them for routine check-ups.
If you are worried about your eyes or need advice on diabetes and HRT management, do not wait and Book Your Appointment with The Eye Foundation. We offer a professional and individual approach to each client to help you keep your vision clear and healthy.
