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Diabetes is the biggest cause of blindness in people of working age in the UK, and yet with efficient self-care (injections, diet etc as advised by your healthcare professional) and regular eye examinations (at least annually) most eye complications can be treated if detected early enough.
Most sight loss due to diabetes can be prevented if it is diagnosed early enough so an annual comprehensive eye examination is essential as many people do not realise there is anything wrong with their eyes until it is too late.
The most serious complication of diabetes to affect the eye is diabetic retinopathy which involves the network of blood vessels lying within the retina. These may leak and over time cause a reduction in central vision and your ability to see fine detail. If allowed to progress further complications can result in sudden loss of vision and even blindness. These leaking blood vessels can be sealed using laser treatment.
It is important to realise that treatment for diabetic eye disease can only save the sight you have and not make it better. For this reason you should have a regular eye examination and should never wait until your vision has deteriorated to have an eye test. Eye tests are free on the NHS for people with diabetes.
For further information on diabetic eye disease:
• NHS
• Royal National Institute of the Blind
• RNIB Helpline 0845 766 9999 or email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• Lighthouse International |