Understanding the Link Between Diabetes and Eye Problems

Extensive studies over the years have uncovered the various ways by which people with a genetic predisposition may avoid or mitigate the debilitating effects of this disease. Yet with one-third of the U.S. population suffering from obesity, a high incidence of diabetes among both adults and children remains ever likely. Aside from kidney failure, coma, cardiovascular complications, and even death, diabetes is often linked to the loss of sight.

The proper term for eyesight loss due to diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. Essentially, diabetes weakens the structure of the blood vessels in the retina, causing them to rupture. Once the blood vessels break, the eyesight degenerates until one goes completely blind. Diabetic retinopathy occurs in up to 80% of diabetics who have lived with this ailment for 10 or more years.

Despite how serious and crippling diabetic retinopathy may sound, patients suffering from this condition can enjoy some reprieve in the form of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis or LASIK. This refractive procedure corrects corneal curvature, seals ruptured blood vessels, and prevents the progression of retinopathy by limiting the growth of irregular blood vessels. In any case, diabetics must regularly consult their doctors and alert their physicians about signs of blurry vision so that retinopathy can be detected and treated as early as possible.