According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), diabetes and blindness are very closely related. In fact, diabetes is the number one cause of acquired blindness. Individuals who are at high risk for diabetes should have regular, dilated eye exams. This is particularly true because diabetic retinopathy is sometimes the very first sign of diabetes; therefore, diabetes can be detected by a simple comprehensive eye exam.

According to the AOA website, people’s knowledge and actions seem to be disconnected when it comes to eye exams. Although many eye-related complications can be prevented through early detection and treatment, yet 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight annually. One reason may be that people don’t notice any vision changes early on, and therefore conditions are not caught in the early and treatable stages. This is why yearly eye examinations are so important.

 

How Does Diabetes Cause Blindness?

 

The retina is located at the back of the eye, and it is the part of our eye which is sensitive to light and allows our vision to occur. Retinopathy is the most common type of blindness due to diabetes. In fact, approximately 40% of diabetics in the U.S. will eventually have some form of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes causing blindness occurs because poor blood sugar control causes small blood vessels (capillaries) in the eye to become fragile. These capillaries become fragile, develop weaken spots, and eventually fluid leaks onto the macula which ruins the precision of vision. Some of the blood vessels may also become closed off. This blocks the blood supply to the retina, causing retinopathy.

 

Diabetes Blindness Symptoms

 

In later stages of retinopathy, new capillaries form to bring blood to the damaged part of the eyes. This is not helpful, however, because these new capillaries are very fragile and begin to bleed. This bleeding reduces vision capacity and cause blindness. This bleeding also may cause the retinal to detach from the wall of the eye.

Diabetes and blindness is completely avoidable with proper care, if caught early. Unfortunately, symptoms do not manifest in the early stages of this conditions. They are still important to know, however. The symptoms of diabetes and blindness include:

  • Spots or dark strings floating in your vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Vision which fluctuates
  • Dark or empty areas in vision
  • Poor night vision
  • Impaired color vision
  • Slight or severe vision loss