Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among adult between the ages of 20 and 74. So, how does diabetes cause blindness? The leading cause of diabetic blindness is retinopathy. About 40% of people diagnosed with diabetes have some form of retinopathy, according to eHow.com. Other serious eye conditions affect diabetics as well. However, people with diabetes normally only have minor eye disorders. A person who gets check-ups regularly and seeks treatment when necessary will not normally become blind because of diabetes.
Early retinopathy is known as non-proliferative retinopathy. It is brought about by poor blood sugar control. The high levels of blood sugar eventually cause the small blood vessels (capillaries) of the eye to become fragile. They develop weak spots which balloon and form pouches, which are actually small aneurisms in the capillaries. If fluid leaks into the macula, which is responsible for precise vision, the macula swells with fluid. This condition is called macula edema. Macula edema causes vision to blur or be lost entirely. Prompt treatment of macula edema can sometimes stop or even reverse the vision loss.
Some people develop a more serious form of retinopathy called proliferative retinopathy. How does diabetes cause blindness in this case, you may ask? The capillaries become so damaged that they close off. In response to this, the body begins growing new blood vessels. The problem is the new vessels are weak and leak blood in a way which blocks vision. This is called a vitreous hemorrhage. Also, sometimes the new blood vessels cause scarring which can distort the retina and/or pull it out of place. This is known as retinal detachment.
Believe it or not, your vision may be badly damaged and you won’t notice any change. This is because the change is very gradual. In the eye conditions related to diabetes there are usually no symptoms until it is too late for treatment. This is why diabetics should have their eyes examined regularly.
How Does Diabetes Cause Blindness in Other Ways?
How does diabetes cause blindness in other ways? Glaucoma is one. Diabetics are much more likely to suffer from glaucoma that people who do not have diabetes. The risk of glaucoma rises the longer a person has diabetes as well. Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in the eye. This pressure pinches the blood vessels which nourish the retina and the optic nerve, causing damage. This damage causes vision to gradually become lost. Luckily, there are a lot of treatment options for glaucoma if it is discovered early enough.
Cataracts is a condition which often occurs in diabetes as well. In fact people with diabetes are 60% more likely to develop this eye condition. Cataracts is an eye condition where the clear lens of the eye clouds, which blocks light from entering the eye. Wearing sunglasses will help people deal with mild cataracts. Surgery may be required for more serious cases.
