Important Diabetes Update : Diabetic Retinopathy

How can diabetes affect the eye?

Your eye has a lens and an aperture (opening) at the front, which
brings objects into focus on the retina at the back of the eye. The
retina is made up of a delicate tissue that is sensitive to light,
like film in the old cameras before the digital age.

At the center of the retina is the macula which is a small area
about the size of a pinhead. This is the most highly specialized
part of the retina and it is vital because it enables us to see
fine detail to read small print. The other parts of the retina give
us side vision (peripheral vision). The rest of the eye in front of
the retina is a clear jelly-like substance called the vitreous
humour.

Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways. These usually
involve the fine network of blood vessels in the retina - the most
sever condition that can occur is diabetic retinopathy.

Affect - Temporary blurring

Your vision may become blurred for a few days or weeks while your
diabetes is first being controlled. This is due to the swelling of
the lens of the eye.

Affect - Cataract

This can occur in two forms:
Young people with diabetes can develop a special type of cataract.
Although their vision gets worse, it can be restored by surgery;
older people with diabetes can be especially prone to developing
cataracts. Cataracts can be successfully removed by surgery and
usually it is possible to insert a lens implant. This procedure is
not for everyone.


Affect - Diabetic retinopathy

The most serious diabetic eye condition involves the retina and is
called diabetic retinopathy.  This condition is very common in
people who have had diabetes for a long time. Your doctor may be
able to see abnormalities in your eyes, but there is no threat to
your sight.

There are two types of diabetic retinopathy which can damage your
sight. Both involve the fine network of blood vessels in the
retina. They are described below.

Type 1 - Maculopathy

This happens when the blood vessels in the retina start to leak. If
the macula is affected, you will find that your central vision
gradually gets worse. You may find it difficult to recognize
people's faces in the distance or to see details like small print.
The amount of central vision that is lost varies from person to
person. However everyday sight for getting around the house and
outside (navigation vision) will be preserved. It is quite rare for
someone with maculopathy to lose all their sight.

Type 2 - Proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Sometimes diabetes can cause the blood vessels in the retina to
become blocked. If this happens then new blood vessels form in the
eye. This is nature's way of trying to repair the damage so that
the retina has a new blood supply.

Unfortunately these new blood vessels are weak. They are also in
the wrong place - growing on the surface of the retina and into the
vitreous jelly. As a result these blood vessels can bleed very
easily and cause scar tissue to form in the eye. The scarring pulls
and distorts the retina. When the retina is pulled out of position
this is called retinal detachment. This condition is more rare than
background retinopathy and is more often found in people who have
been insulin dependent for many years.

The new blood vessels will rarely affect your vision, but their

consequences, such as bleeding or retinal detachment can cause

your vision to get worse suddenly. Your eyesight may become

blurred and patchy as the bleeding obscures part of your vision.

Without treatment, total loss of vision can happen in proliferative retinopathy.

*** With treatment most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be
prevented if caught early enough.***

To learn more about how Melabic can lower blood sugar and help you
prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy visit me at Melabic.com

Although your vision may be good, changes can be taking place to
your retina that needs treatment. Most sight loss in diabetes is
preventable: early diagnosis is vital have an eye examination
every year do not wait until your vision has deteriorated to have
an eye test.

Visit Melabic.com to find out how you ca Prevent, Treat and

Reverse your diabetes.

Your family doctor or optometrist can examine for diabetic
retinopathy.

Remember, however, that if your vision is getting worse, this does
not necessarily mean you have diabetic retinopathy. It may simply
be a problem that can be corrected by glasses.

I hope this gave you a bit of insight on how important regular eye
exams are.  I book Tim & I in a year in advance so there is no
excuses for us!

To Your Health

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com