According to 2007 statistics, diabetes is a disease that affects 23.6 million children and adults in the United States. It is a chronic disease that can be life-threatening if not properly controlled. In fact, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2006. A person with diabetes has high blood glucose levels because the pancreas does not produce adequate amounts of insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. A number of health problems may develop as a result of diabetes, including eye disease.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye disease that may lead to blindness. According to the National Eye Institute, it is the most common eye disease associated with diabetes and "a leading cause of blindness in American adults." Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. The vessels may swell and leak fluid or abnormal blood vessels may grow on the surface of the retina, which leads to vision changes. According to the National Eye Institute, all people with diabetes are at risk of developing this condition and should visit an eye doctor for a dilated eye exam at least once a year.
Glaucoma
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, "people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as are non-diabetics." Glaucoma is characterized by a build up of pressure inside the eye which damages the optic nerve and leads to vision impairment. There are four kinds of glaucoma but the most likely form to affect diabetics is known as open-angle glaucoma. Some diabetes patients may develop neovascular glaucoma, which occurs if new blood vessels grow on the eye, inhibiting drainage of fluid from the eye and raising eye pressure.
Cataracts
People with diabetes are also at risk of developing cataracts. A person with cataracts experiences clouding of the lens which affects the vision. Cataracts are usually associated with aging, but according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), someone with diabetes may develop cataracts at an earlier age than someone who doesn't have diabetes. The RNIB states that "good sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol control reduces the risk of diabetes-related sight loss."
