Question about eye problems and blindess with diabetes

porkchops said:

Hey all..

What are the exact causes of blindness for diabetics? If signs of eye problems that could lead to
this are caught early.. can it be prevented?

Is it just eye blood clots and glaucoma?

No, it's not just clots and glaucoma. The retina has lots of blood vessels; high blood sugar levels
are good at causing damage to the cardiovascular system - those blood vessels. It's similar to the
reduced healing in the feet that many diabetics face. There are other issues too - if I understand
it correctly. For more information consult an specialist in diabetic eye disease.

Cindy Wells

Quoted message said:

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Pork

On 7 Dec 2003 02:20:48 -0800, [email hidden] (porkchops)

Quoted message said:

Hey all..

What are the exact causes of blindness for diabetics? If signs of eye problems that could lead to
this are caught early.. can it be prevented?

Is it just eye blood clots and glaucoma?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Two main issues, growth of blood vessels over the retina, blocking it off, and small bleeds within
the retina, damaging the cells. If caught early, both are now largely preventable.

Quoted message said:

Pork

You're receiving some good info as far as the causes. As far as prevention, in the long term, as
with other diabetic complications, keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. In
the short term, you should have a dilated eye exam every six months. In that exam, the eye
specialist (in my case an optometrist) should look at every part of your retina for any signs of
leaking blood vessels. If there are any, they can be cauturised with laser "hits" before they do
damage (so far my eyes have been clear, so I have no first hand experience, but others here have had
many such hits). If the leaking stringy blood vessels are not attended to, this can cause instant
and permanent blindness.

I have not researched the matter nearly as much as some of the very wise posters here. I hope
everyone firgives me if I am not completely accurate, and corrects me.

--
Henry

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"porkchops" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Hey all..

What are the exact causes of blindness for diabetics? If signs of eye problems that could lead to
this are caught early.. can it be prevented?

Is it just eye blood clots and glaucoma?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Pork