The Diabetic Retinopathy window in the sensory garden mimics the effects of the condition. Diabetic Retinopathy is a potential complication of diabetes and a leading cause of preventable sight loss among working age people in Scotland. It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Diabetes and sight loss.
Diabetes is a lifelong condition and can cause several health complications. Your eyes are one part of your body that can be affected. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye that converts light into electrical signals. The signals are sent to the brain which turns them into the images you see.
The retina needs a constant supply of blood, which it receives through a network of tiny blood vessels. A persistently high blood sugar level can damage these blood vessels and your sight can gradually deteriorate. At the advanced stage of this condition, the retina starts growing new blood vessels. These fragile new vessels often bleed into the middle of the eye (the vitreous) and cause dark shapes floating in your field of vision (floaters).
Diabetic Retinopathy and eye tests
If changes to your eyes are detected early through screening, Diabetic Retinopathy can be treated successfully to prevent further deterioration. Because the condition has no symptoms until it is well advanced, screening is important to pick up the early warning signs.
Don’t miss your diabetic eye screening appointment!
In Scotland, Diabetic Retinopathy Screening is offered every year to anyone aged 12 and over with diabetes.
You should also go for regular eye examinations with your optician. Your diabetic eye screening test doesn’t replace your regular eye examination with your optometrist. Your diabetic retinal screening will only look for diabetic changes to the back of your eyes; your regular eye examination with your optometrist can check for other eye conditions, so it’s important to have both tests regularly.
Why not watch this 90 second film that RNIB Scotland and Diabetes Scotland made to highlight the potential threat that diabetes can cause to people’s eyesight.
To find out more information on symptoms, prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/
https://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/eye-conditions/diabetes-related-eye-conditions
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