Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. These eye diseases may cause vision loss and blindness. These and other serious conditions often develop without vision loss warning or pain, so significant damage may be done to the eyes by the time the patient notices anything is wrong. Diagnosing and treating eye disease early greatly increases the chances of preventing vision loss.

It is imperative that diabetic patients have their eyes examined at least yearly. Some diabetic patients need to have more frequent doctor visits. In addition to these exams, diabetic patients should maintain a steady blood-sugar level, regularly exercise, take prescribed medications, follow a healthy diet, and avoid smoking.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an ocular manifestation of diabetes, a systemic disease, which affects up to 80 percent of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher his or her chances are of developing diabetic retinopathy.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and are afraid of losing your vision, you are not alone. Diabetes has many faces- it affects people of all ages, races and nationalities. Of the almost 20 million people in the US with diabetes, almost half of those will eventually develop some sort of diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among working-age Americans.

Typically changes begin to take place in the retina after a patient has been living with diabetes for 10 to 15 years.

Diabetes primarily affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light sensing tissue in the back of the eye. These vessels work like tubes, bringing oxygen and other nutrients into and out of the eye. Damage to these vessels is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy develops gradually and painlessly.

Although good control of your blood sugar and blood pressure can help prevent diabetic eye disease, significant problems can still occur. This is why regular dilated eye exams are therefore the only way to diagnose problems early before vision loss occurs.

Diabetic vision loss is often preventable with early detection and treatment.