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, Specsavers, with its offices in Stamford and Bourne, is lifting the condition this diabetes week today (Monday 14th.
An eye test
Dan Howarth, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: “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 in people over 12 years of age with diabetes invited to regular diabetic eye exams and we encourage everyone to attend these routine exams.
“Regular eye tests are also important as they are sometimes known to detect undiagnosed diabetes. Blurred vision could 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 going to the toilet, being very thirsty, and feeling very uncomfortable or your symptoms came on quickly , find an urgent appointment with your GP or call NHS 111. “
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.
Ian Stradling, Store Director of Specsavers in Bourne, Holbeach and Spalding 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 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. “
Ian added: “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. “
Specsavers in Bourne, Holbeach and Spalding have been offering free digital retinal photography to customers over 40 years of age as part of a standard eye test. A detailed picture of the fundus is created, which allows the blood vessels to be monitored more closely and to identify any 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:
- Persistent hover discs – hover discs are spots in your sight and 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, or darkness on one side of your eyesight, you should have this checked immediately as in some cases this may be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy.
- Blurred vision – Blurred vision can be caused by many things and it is important that you get it checked. Diabetes increases the risk of 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 weaker vision than wearing sunglasses or having difficulty seeing in the dark, which are important signs that you shouldn’t ignore.
Ian added, “A lot of people don’t realize that an eye test can detect so much more than just changes in eyesight, so it’s important to keep appointments on a regular basis.”
For more information or to make an appointment, visit: www.specsavers.co.uk
