Eyes
People with diabetes are at risk of developing a complication called retinopathy. Retinopathy affects the blood vessels supplying the retina – the seeing part of the eye. Blood vessels in the retina of the eye can become blocked, leaky or grow haphazardly. This damage gets in the way of the light passing through to the retina and if left untreated can damage vision.
Keeping blood glucose and blood pressure under control will help to reduce the risk of developing retinopathy. But, your best protection against retinopathy is attending an eye screening when you are first diagnosed and then every year.
To check the retina an eye specialist will dilate your pupils (make them bigger), using special drops that are essential for the best and clearest view of your retinas. After the drops have been applied, a photograph of your retina should be taken using a digital camera. This will show any changes that need to be monitored or treated, and is a useful permanent record for your diabetes care team.
The drops used can be unpleasant and will temporarily blur your vision and make your eyes sensitive to bright light, preventing you from reading or driving for two to four hours. Despite this, remember that having a retinal screening is essential to ensure that retinopathy is picked up early and gives you the best chance of successful treatment.