Eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma affect diabetics and non diabetics alike, but diabetics are more likely to develop them and at an earlier age.
Whilst both cataracts and glaucoma can be remedied with ease in the case of both diabetics and non diabetics, diabetics are susceptible to other forms of eye disease that can be much harder to treat because of their condition.
Retinopathy only appears in a diabetic person, the first signs usually showing after 10 years of the disease.
Some years ago, retinopathy almost always ended in going blind, but fortunately that situation has changed. In the UK, the General Practitioner Contract states that diabetics must have the back of their eyes checked on initial diagnosis, and then on an annual basis thereafter.
Very often you do not have to go to hospital for this examination as many local clinics have been set up with the equipment they need to do the scan.
Eye drops are put into the patient's eyes which dilate (open) the pupil. They then take pictures of the retina at the back of the eye. These pictures are kept, so that an ongoing picture of the eyes is built up over time.
Retinopathy is caused by a number of factors or a combination of them. Smoking, high blood pressure and alcohol are the main contributors. Once retinopathy is diagnosed, kidney disease and heart problems are then a cause for concern.
The way to treat retinopathy is by laser rather than drugs. Only 5% of diabetics claim to have suffereed serious loss of vision with this treatment, the other 95% may suffer some slight los of field and night vision, but this is a very small loss of vision, especially when compared to the potential total loss of vision this disease brings.
The bottom line is that if you wish to preserve your sight and indeed avoid other diabetic health complications, be sure to take the correct medicine at the correct time, and maintain close monitoring of your blood sugar levels.
Whilst both cataracts and glaucoma can be remedied with ease in the case of both diabetics and non diabetics, diabetics are susceptible to other forms of eye disease that can be much harder to treat because of their condition.
Retinopathy only appears in a diabetic person, the first signs usually showing after 10 years of the disease.
Some years ago, retinopathy almost always ended in going blind, but fortunately that situation has changed. In the UK, the General Practitioner Contract states that diabetics must have the back of their eyes checked on initial diagnosis, and then on an annual basis thereafter.
Very often you do not have to go to hospital for this examination as many local clinics have been set up with the equipment they need to do the scan.
Eye drops are put into the patient's eyes which dilate (open) the pupil. They then take pictures of the retina at the back of the eye. These pictures are kept, so that an ongoing picture of the eyes is built up over time.
Retinopathy is caused by a number of factors or a combination of them. Smoking, high blood pressure and alcohol are the main contributors. Once retinopathy is diagnosed, kidney disease and heart problems are then a cause for concern.
The way to treat retinopathy is by laser rather than drugs. Only 5% of diabetics claim to have suffereed serious loss of vision with this treatment, the other 95% may suffer some slight los of field and night vision, but this is a very small loss of vision, especially when compared to the potential total loss of vision this disease brings.
The bottom line is that if you wish to preserve your sight and indeed avoid other diabetic health complications, be sure to take the correct medicine at the correct time, and maintain close monitoring of your blood sugar levels.
About the Author:
Toby has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for over 3 years now. He also has stress caused by the disease. To help with this condition, he relaxes by making round table cloths. This always helps when he is stressed. Making round table cloths is a good way to combat stress.