Global diabetes cases have quadrupled in the last 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, leading to diabetic retinopathy in some people which, if not treated in a timely manner, can result in vision loss in people over 12 years of age those with diabetes are invited to regular diabetic eye exams, and we encourage everyone to take part in these routine checks. ”
Diabetic retinopathy
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.
Specsavers Ammanford Director Kevin McCarthy says, “In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no noticeable symptoms and an eye test can detect it in front of you.
“Because the condition affects small blood vessels in the eye and damages the retina, your optician can look for any characteristic early changes, such as tiny leaks from these damaged vessels.
“When retinopathy develops, blood vessels can weaken, bulge, or invade the retina and are known as non-proliferative retinopathy. However, if it worsens, some vessels can occlude, causing new ones to grow or multiply on the retina.This is known as proliferative retinopathy and can cause visual disturbance 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 use to read, drive, and see faces. However, over time, the disease can destroy sharp vision in that part of the eye partial loss of vision or even blindness. ”
He adds: “Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in people of working age in the UK, so it is extremely important that diabetes is detected early and people are helped to treat the disease effectively to reduce the risk of a preventable one To minimize vision loss.
“At Specsavers, we offer customers over the age of 40 free digital retinal photography as part of a standard eye test. A detailed picture of the fundus of the eye is made, which allows the blood vessels to be monitored more closely – and thus possible errors can be identified 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:
Permanent floaters
McCarthy says, “Floaters are spots in your eyesight and usually look like black or gray spots or cobwebs that drift around when you move your eyes. Most people will experience floats in their eyesight at some point in their lives – especially as we age as the jelly-like substance in our eyes becomes more fluid.
“If you notice more eye floaters than usual, a sudden appearance of new ones, 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 it can be a symptom of diabetes retinopathy.”
Blurred vision
“Many things can cause blurred vision, and it’s important that you investigate them,” says McCarthy. “Diabetes increases the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which is where high blood sugar levels damage tiny blood vessels in the eye that can sense light, which can lead to blurred vision. Diagnosis and starting treatment. It can also result in poorer vision than wearing sunglasses or having trouble seeing in the dark, which are important signs that you shouldn’t ignore. ”
McCarthy adds, “A lot of people don’t realize that an eye test can detect so much more than just impaired vision, so it’s important to keep appointments on a regular basis.”
For more information or to make an appointment, visit: www.specsavers.co.uk
