Diabetes
Diabetes is caused when the body is unable to properly regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. Symptoms can be very mild and so can be very difficult to spot. Long term poor control of diabetes can affect the eyes by causing changes to the blood vessels of the retina.
The blood vessels become more ‘leaky’ making them more prone to bleeding, causing possible risks to the sight of the eye. Generally the earlier any diabetic changes are noticed in the eyes, the better the outcome after any treatment and preservation of sight. Patients with diabetes are also more prone to cataract and macular changes, causing a reduction in vision. For this reason, diabetic patients are urged to have regular eye tests, and this is covered under the NHS.
