Diabetes and Eye Care

Diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of blindness in U.S. adults, often has no symptoms in the early stages. That's why it's so important for people with diabetes to have their eyes examined at least once a year.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels in the retina of the eye. If left untreated, the disease can cause severe vision loss or blindness.

However, if caught early, an eye care professional may recommend laser surgery. This type of treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy by 90 percent.

Can people with diabetes prevent diabetic retinopathy? Not completely, but research shows that they may be able to reduce their risk of the disease by keeping their blood sugar levels under control.