Diabetes is a common life-long condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high as the body cannot use it properly. This is because the pancreas does not produce any or enough insulin, or the insulin that is produced doesn’t work properly (known as insulin resistance). Insulin helps glucose enter the body’s cells, where it is used for energy.
Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrate from various kinds of food and drink, including starchy foods such as breads, rice and potatoes, fruit, some dairy products, sugar and other sweet foods. Glucose is also produced by the liver.
Persistent high levels of glucose can lead to damage in your eyes. To reduce the risk of eye problems, blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fats need to be kept within a target range, which should be agreed by you and your healthcare team. The aim of your diabetes treatment, together with a healthy lifestyle, is to achieve these agreed targets.
Smoking also plays a major part in eye damage so, if you do smoke, stopping will be extremely helpful.
Reviewed March 2011
Next review September 2012