Global cases of diabetes have quadrupled in the past 40 years, meaning nearly half a billion people have the disease – many without realizing it.
People with type 2 diabetes don’t always get symptoms, which is why it can take up to 10 years to be diagnosed. If left untreated, however, it can damage the heart, kidneys, feet and eyes, which can lead to loss of vision.
For this reason, this week of diabetes (June 14-20), Specsavers is emphasizing the importance of regular eye tests and the warning signs to look out for in order to identify the condition.
Dan Howarth, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, says: “Diabetes can affect your eyes in many ways and lead to diabetic retinopathy in some people which, if not treated in a timely manner, can lead to vision loss. For this reason, all people with diabetes over the age of 12 are invited to have regular diabetic eye exams and we urge everyone to attend these routine checks.
“Regular eye tests are also important as they are sometimes known to detect undiagnosed diabetes. Blurred vision can be a sign of an underlying medical condition and one of the possible causes could be diabetes.
“Good eye health is really important, and for this year’s Diabetes Week, we’re reminding people to be aware of all the signs and symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes, including frequent toilet trips, extreme thirst, and fatigue. If you feel very uncomfortable or if your symptoms came on quickly, find an urgent appointment with your GP or call NHS 111. “
One complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which can occur when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye over a long period of time. If left untreated, vision loss can occur.
Donna Like, Director of Specsavers Brecon, said, “In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there are usually no noticeable symptoms so an eye test can detect them in front of you.
“Because the condition affects small blood vessels in the eye and damages the retina, your optician can look for any early characteristic changes such as: B. tiny leaks from these damaged vessels.
“When retinopathy develops, blood vessels can weaken, bulge, or protrude into the retina and this is known as non-proliferative retinopathy. However, when it worsens, some vessels can occlude, causing new ones to grow or multiply on the surface of the retina. This is known as proliferative retinopathy, and it can cause blurred vision and even loss of vision.
“Some people with diabetic retinopathy can also develop diabetic macular edema. The macula is the part of your retina that you need to read, drive, and see faces. Over time, however, the disease can destroy sharp vision in that part of the eye, leading to partial vision loss or even blindness. “
She added: “Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in people of working age in the UK.
“At Specsavers, we have been offering customers over 40 years of age free digital retinal photography as part of a standard eye test. A detailed picture of the fundus is made, which means that the blood vessels can be monitored more closely – and any errors that may be detected are signs of diabetes that may be present. “
Since diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition, it is also important to monitor any changes in your vision and have them checked by your ophthalmologist. The warning signs include:
Stubborn Floaters – Ms. Like says, “Floaters are spots in your sight and they usually look like black or gray spots or cobwebs that float around when you move your eyes. Most people will have floating eyes at some point in their lives – especially as we get older, as the jelly-like substance in our eyes becomes more fluid.
“If you notice more eye drops than usual, the sudden appearance of new eye drops, flashes of light in the eye, or darkness on one side of your field of vision, you must have it checked immediately as in some cases this can be a symptom of diabetes retinopathy.”
Blurred vision – “Blurred vision can be caused by many things and it is important that you get it examined,” said Ms. Like. “Diabetes increases the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which is where high blood sugar levels damage tiny blood vessels in the eye that sense light, which can lead to blurred vision. Blurred vision can also be a symptom of diabetes, which can resolve if blood sugar starts to drop after diagnosis and treatment starts. It can also result in worse vision than wearing sunglasses or having difficulty seeing in the dark, which are important signs that you shouldn’t ignore. “
Ms. Like added: “Many people are unaware that an eye test can detect so much more than just changes in eyesight, so it is important to keep appointments on a regular basis.”
For more information or to make an appointment, visit: www.specsavers.co.uk
