Diabetes and Your Eye - Facts that all Diabetics must know

Diabetes and the Eye

Facts that every Diabetic should know

1. Diabetics are a higher risk of developing eye problems – some of which can lead to irreversible blindness

2. The longer the duration of Diabetes and worse the control – more are the chances of developing eye problems

3. Eye Problems can go totally un-noticed unless Vision is tested under standard conditions and retina seen by qualified eye specialist

4. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing

Cataract (Safed Motia)

Glaucoma (Kala Motia)

Diabetic Retinopathy (Blood spots on the Retina)

5. Cataract is curable with Surgery and IOL Implant but Glaucoma leads to progressive blindness-which is irreversible. Early Diabetic Retinopathy can be treated with Laser to prevent irreversible blindness later on.

6. Diabetics should have complete eye check up by an Eye Specialist as per guidelines of American Academy of Ophthalmologists recommendations:

All Diabetics at the time of first diagnoses & of more than 5 years duration of disease – at-least once a year if no retinopathy

All Diabetics with diagnosed retinopathy, on insulin or unstable control – once every 6 months.