Diseases Diseases

Type 1 Diabetes Can Lead Towards Blindness

Published at 07/16/2011 09:29:51

 Diabetes is a debilitating disease. It results from the cessation or reduction of insulin production. This hormone regulates how your body uses the food ingested. Without insulin, the body has a harder time coping with the sugar and carbohydrates you consume. Diabetes has been linked to both partial and total blindness.

 People with the disease who rely on insulin injections are termed as insulin-dependent diabetics. The abnormal blood sugar levels caused by uncontrolled diabetes can cause blurred vision. Long term episodes may lead to clouding of the lens which is termed a cataract.


The most severe condition caused by diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. This affects the blood vessels of the eye. This disease involves blockages that lead to leaks. If the person does not seek treatment, this may progress towards visual impairment.


The unusual changes in blood sugar levels resulting from diabetes can affect the lens inside the eye, especially when diabetes is uncontrolled. This can result in blurred vision which comes and goes over the day, depending on your blood sugar levels.

 Background diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of diabetic retinopathy. This condition may affect diabetics at some point in their lives. Their retinal area may bulge to a slight degree and leak blood or fluid. This is an earlier sign of retinopathy and can be contained at this point.


Proliferative diabetic retinopathy occurs when background diabetic retinopathy is not controlled. Larger vessels in the retina are blocked. This will deprive it of oxygen and promote neo-vascularisation (growth of new blood vessels). These new blood vessels are weak and cause hemorrhages to develop on the topmost layer of the retina or into the vitreous gel. This blurs the vision until the blood is reabsorbed.


If a retinopathy is left untreated and the macula is compromised, this is called a maculopathy. This affects the central vision making it harder to distinguish detail from a distance. This impairment varies from one individual to the next. Although your peripheral vision is left unaffected, this disease may prove to be a bane to a person's existence.

Tips and comments:

 Not all diabetics experience eye problems. It is highly suggested to have your eyesight checked regularly if you have this illness. Attempt to stay within the normal limits if you have elevated blood sugar levels but are not plagued with diabetes. This disease may lead to severe complications if left untreated.

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