Did you know that diabetes can have an impact on your eye sight? Diabetes can cause damage to the retina which in turn means damage to the vision. Regular eye examinations, healthy diet and exercise are key to keeping eyes healthy and vision in check.

What is diabetic eye disease?

With 1 in 2 Australian adults currently overweight, diabetes and diabetic eye disease is an alarming concern. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that may develop as a complication of diabetes including diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy is characterised by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that relays visual information to the brain. In some cases, the blood vessels swell and leak fluid and abnormal blood vessels may grow on the surface of the retina causing vision loss. Cataract, a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, can develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes. Glaucoma,characterised by progressive damage to the optic nerve, is nearly twice as likely to develop in a patient with diabetes than a patient without. If undetected or left untreated, diabetic eye disease can lead to severe vision loss or even blindness. With regular eye examinations at The Eye Practice using digital retinal photography, early signs of diabetic eye disease can be identified and managed appropriately to avoid sight loss. Book your Diabetic eye exam online or by phoning (02) 9290 1899 today. PLEASE READ: The information given under Eye Conditions is of a general nature and is not intended to be advice on any particular matter. Please take the appropriate Optometrical advice before acting on any information given under Eye Conditions of The Eye Practice web-site.