According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), diabetes is the leading cause of acquired blindness among adults. Diabetic blindness is such a big problem because many people are never diagnosed with the disease and do not get their eyes checked regularly. In many cases by the time that symptoms arise that an eye problem may exist, damage has already been done which cannot be reversed. The AOA states that not only can regular eye exams help to find these conditions before they lead to blindness, but diabetes itself can be diagnosed through a dilated eye exam. Therefore, it is recommended that those at risk of diabetes have dilated eye exams every year.
Diabetic Retinopathy Blindness
Diabetic retinopathy is by far the most serious vision problem brought about by diabetes. It is also the most common cause of diabetic blindness. Although diabetics carry a high risk of other types of eye problems, nearly 40% of diagnosed diabetics in the United States develop some form of diabetic retinopathy. In most cases however, early detection and proper treatment can help to prevent diabetic blindness.
Early on retinopathy is known as nonproliferative retinopathy. This occurs because the small blood vessels in the eye become fragile as they are exposed to the high sugar levels in the blood. Weakened spots in these vessels begin to leak fluid, and some of the damaged blood vessels begin to be closed off and are unable to nourish the retina.
As the damage continues to occur this condition evolves into proliferative retinopathy. In proliferative retinopathy is a condition in which new capillaries (small blood vessels) begin to form in the eye in order to supply blood to the parts of the eye that are no longer being nourished. These new capillaries are more trouble than they are of help, though. Since they are new and very fragile, they bleed and cause a reduced capacity of vision severely. Eventually this can cause diabetic blindness. In addition, sometimes this bleeding leads to detachment of the retina itself, also resulting in diabetes blindness.
Diabetic Blindness Symptoms
Since diabetic blindness is such a wide spread problem, it is important to know the symptoms which lead up to it. However, one must remember that by the time symptoms really come about, it may be too late for treatment. The best way to prevent diabetic blindness is to get your eyes checked regularly and keep your blood sugar levels under control. Also, speak to your optometrist and physician about your potential for diabetic blindness. Symptoms of diabetes vision problems are:
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty focusing
- Haloes around light
- Spots or dark strings that float in your vision
- Dark or empty areas in your vision
- Difficulty with color perception
