Diabetes is an insidious disease. It can sneak up on you and damage major organs if not caught and regulated.

There are two main types of diabetes, type 1, and type 2.

What’s important to know though is that both types interfere with the body’s ability to break down starches and sugars and turn them into energy.

For mild cases, it can be managed by diet but more severe cases require insulin injections. There are quite a few health risks associated with the disease. One of the biggest problem areas is in the eyes. But exactly how does diabetes affect your eyes?

The biggest concern is inside the retina. Diabetes can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to leak and collapse, a condition called retinopathy. This condition can lead to blindness. What happens is the blood vessels weaken and collapse. The body will form new vessels but unfortunately they are much weaker. As the blood leaks out of these vessels it starves the retina of blood flow. With repeated damage these vessels will eventually build up scar tissues that can cause the retina to detach.

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes then it’s important to get yearly eye exams. If you’re at risk for blindness you want to do everything in your power to stop it. An eye doctor will be able to assess your overall eye health and can quickly tell if you’re developing symptoms of retinopathy.

Some of the warning signs to look out for are suddenly blurred vision in one or both eyes, black spots or cobwebs swimming in your vision, and the big one sudden onset of blindness.

Taking proper care of your eyes is important. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes then make sure to book an eye exam to see if you are at risk.

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Filed under: Eye Problems & Diseases

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