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 …