Diabetes and learning more about your eyes at North Shore Eye Care

Diabetic retinopathy is a common amongst diabetics and is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults under the age of 65. It is estimated that approximately 25% of people with type 1 diabetes will have some form of diabetic retinopathy five to ten years after their symptoms develop. It is important to keep blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control. This drastically reduces the risk of developing retinopathy.  But, your best protection against retinopathy is having your eyes examined regularly, with photography when you are first diagnosed and then every year. Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels supplying the retina – the seeing part of the eye.  The vessels in the retina of the eye can become blocked, start to leak and/or grow abnormally like weeds.   This damage eventually can lead to permanent damage to the retina if left untreated. is a condition where the body does not produce adequate  insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that breaks down glucose (sugar) so that it can be used by the body. The body's problem with in not making enough insulin causes the level of glucose in the blood to rise. This can cause a wide range of complications, including retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. People with diabetes are at risk of developing a complication called diabetic retinopathy.