Diabetes can cause damage to your eyes and this is called diabetic retinopathy. If not treated promptly they could lead to blindness.

About 1600 people go blind annually due to diabetes in the UK.Millions more worldwide.

High blood pressure can accelerate this. It is also important to control your cholesterol. Smoking is another independent risk factor which will accelerate diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes also can cause cataracts and glaucoma.

You should have eye screening at least once a year. Ophthalmologist might see you more frequently if there are signs of damage to the back of your eyes. They might also offer you laser treatment to stop your eyesight from deteriorating.

But you need to make sure you have you retinal screening at-least once a year.

By Dr Ryizan Nizar MD MRCP UK
Specialist Registrar in Diabetes and Endocrinology