Eyes
High blood glucose (sugar) levels cause damage to the blood vessels and the retina, which is the area at the back of the eye responsible for detecting light and sending messages to the brain to form pictures. The retina is fragile and covered in blood vessels.
Damaged blood vessels in the retina can leak and become blocked which is known as diabetic retinopathy. You will have your eyes screened yearly as part of your diabetes care so it’s really important to attend these appointments.
Controlling your weight, blood glucose (sugar) levels, blood pressure and cholesterol and stopping smoking can delay the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is treated by laser therapy, injections into they eye and in some rare cases surgery.
To find out more about diabetic retinopathy have a look at the resources below and to see what service are available in your area then have a look at the get local section.
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This video explains everything you need to know about diabetic retinopathy. Through a series of animations, the viewer is taken through the journey of diabetic retinopathy.
This page discusses retinopathy and eye screening for people with diabetes.
This leaflet contains important information about your diabetes eye care.
This page provides lots of information about what diabetic retinopathy is, and how it can be prevented and managed.
A quick guide to diabetic eye screening produced by Public Health England.
A quick guide to diabetic retinopathy produced by Public Health England.
