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 …

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), diabetes and blindness are very closely related. In fact, diabetes is the number one cause of acquired blindness. Individuals who are at high risk for diabetes should have regular, dilated eye exams. This is particularly true because diabetic retinopathy is sometimes the very first sign of diabetes; therefore, diabetes can be detected by a simple comprehensive eye exam.

According to the AOA website, people’s knowledge and actions seem to be disconnected when it comes to eye exams. Although many eye-related complications can be prevented through early detection and treatment, yet 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight annually. One reason may be that people don’t notice any vision changes early on, and therefore conditions are not caught in the early and treatable stages. This is why yearly eye examinations are so important.

How Does Diabetes Cause Blindness?

The retina is located at …