Retinopathy and Other Sight Problems In Diabetes

Diabetes is the major cause of blindness in adults, which is why people with diabetes are advised to have regular eye checks from ophthalmologists (eye specialists) to catch eye problems in the early stages. Such problems include:

• Transient blurring of vision:

This is a blurring which can fluctuate with swings in blood sugar levels. It improves in a few weeks after the blood sugar levels have been stablilised by treatment. It is important not to get new glasses before this improvement has been noted, because the prescription you need to cope with the blurring won't be appropriate six weeks later, when treatment has taken effect.

• Retinopathy:

• This, as we've seen, is caused by damage to the small blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. These tiny vessels can burst, which over time may result in severe damage, even blindness. Fortunately, new laser therapy - sealing the damaged vessel with a special type of light beam - is very effective in treating retinopathy and preventing blindness.