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concerns about diabetes. Complications Medications Alternative Therapy Eyes Feet Skin Heart Kidneys ... Clinical Trials Eye Complications by John Walsh, P.A., C.D.E., Ruth Roberts, M.A. Changes At Diagnosis Background Retinopathy Preproliferative Retinopathy Proliferative Retinopathy ... Amsler Test Damage to the eye is the most feared complication of diabetes. And no wonder: the eye is the one inch spherical marvel that gives us vision. Our vision is created when light reflects from things in our field of vision, gets focused by the cornea and lens, then travels through the transparent gel in the middle of the eye and triggers sensory nerves in the retina. The retina itself is an ultrathin layer of blood vessels and nerve endings called rods and cones, on the inner back wall of the eye. Signals activated by light in the retina travel to the brain cortex where a three-dimensional picture is given to the outside world. Vision lets us read, drive, and recognize faces, permits manufacturing and microscopy, and enables astronomy from ancient photons that left faraway stars millions of years ago. Total blindness in diabetes is uncommon since just under 2% of people with IDDM actually suffer total vision loss. However, the fear of losing one's sight is strong, as anyone with diabetes who's had a change in vision can testify. This fear can be used to promote self-care, but instead often interferes with taking the steps necessary to avoid vision loss. Diabetes is the most common cause of blindness in the U.S. among younger individuals, although most of this loss can be avoided with better control and through early detection of eye damage. | |
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