How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?

Diabetes is a very serious condition that affects millions of people each year. The condition affects the body’s metabolism and the way it processes glucose. Individuals with diabetes have very high glucose readings. Glucose enters the body through the bloodstream after leaving the small intestines. Uncontrolled diabetes can effect a person’s eyesight and could lead to blindness

Background Diabetic Retinopathy

Individiuals who go a significant amount of time without having their diabetes controlled risk the chances of background diabetic retinopathy. This condition can be the first signs that something is not right with a person. An eye doctor may be the first to discover this condition. People with this condition notice their eyes begin to bulge. There will also be blood and fluid leaking inside the eye. This condition does not normally affect the vision.

Maculopathy

The part of the eye that controls reading, writing and distinguishing between colors are usually affected by long-term uncontrolled and treated diabetes. This condition develops from the background retinopathy and damages the macula. The part of this eye is usually no bigger than the size of a small pin head. Most people with this condition do notice that something is off with their eyesight.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy causes blocked blood vessels in the retina of the eye. Once blood vessels in the eye become blocked, the eye creates new blood vessels. These vessels grow on the surface of the retina; this can cause retinal detachment. People who experience this condition can receive serious damage to their eyes. The retina acts like a camera in distinguishing objects and contains a network of delicate blood vessels.