An eye problem caused by diabetes, called diabetic retinopathy, is the number one cause of blindness in adults in the United States., If your child has diabetes then his or her blood sugar levels are too high. High blood sugar can damage nerves or blood vessels over time. Diabetic retinopathy happens when the tiny blood vessels inside the retina are damaged from high blood sugar. The damage that can occur may include blood vessels swelling and leaking fluid or new abnormal blood vessels may grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is tissue that is light sensitive located at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is needed to see clearly. Problems may creep up so slowly that at first they go unnoticed.

These problems may include blurry vision, double vision, rings, flashing lights, blank spots, dark or floating spots, pain or pressure in one or both eyes, or trouble seeing out of the corners of their eyes. It is especially important for your diabetic child to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year. This is because problems found and treated early may save your child’s vision. Laser treatment or surgery may be necessary.

Another eye problem that can be caused by diabetes is cataracts. Cataracts may develop at an earlier age when a person has diabetes. They cause the eye’s lens to cloud.

Another eye problem for diabetics is glaucoma. They are twice as likely to get glaucoma as people without diabetes are. Glaucoma leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision by an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk for eye disease. Around 45 percent of diabetic Americans have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. The longer a person has diabetes the more likely he or she will develop diabetic retinopathy. A person can still see fine and yet have both proliferative retinopathy and macular edema. A comprehensive eye exam can identify the problem or they may lose their vision. The risk of blindness can be reduced by 95 percent with timely treatment and follow-up care.

People who keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible slow the progression of retinopathy. This also helps prevent kidney and nerve disease according to The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). Although children under 13, elderly patients, and people with heart disease may not benefit from this type of blood sugar control so ask their doctor.

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007 Thanks to Jared for posing.