Why Does Diabetes Damage Eyes?

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, between 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness every year are attributed to diabetes.

What is retinopathy?

• Retinopathy is the word used to describe damage to the blood vessels of the retina.

What's a retina?

• The retina is the tissue in the back of the eye. It is light sensitive and transmits information to the brain by way of the optic nerve. You may have heard of "rods and cones". They are the tiny sensory bits of tissue that help you see colors.

How does high blood glucose damage the vessels?

• The retina is full of tiny little blood vessels. Prolonged high blood glucose can damage the blood vessels. The blood vessels can become enlarged or clogged. They can become weak and rupture. The retina can become detached from the back of the eye.

What does retinopathy look like?

• Blurry or double vision, or you could experience "floaters" or dark patches. If the retina becomes detached, you may see flashes or dark spots or a "dark curtain" over part of your vision. A detached retina needs immediate medical attention.

Retinopathy is not always noticeable in the early stages and can progress for years before there are symptoms. It's important to keep blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible to prevent retina damage. If you notice any changes in your vision, call your eye doctor immediately.