Diabetes can harm the eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the back part of your eye.

This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes also increases the chance of having glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye problems.

What is diabetic retinopathy and what causes it?

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that people living with diabetes are more at risk of getting. If your blood sugar levels and blood pressure are consistently high, you can seriously damage your blood vessels. 

And there are lots of important blood vessels in your eyes. These vessels help supply blood to the seeing part of the eye (called the retina). When these blood vessels are damaged, they can get blocked, leak or grow randomly. This means the retina can’t get the blood it needs and so can’t work properly. Which means you won’t be able to see properly.

There are lots of things you can do to keep your blood sugars and your blood pressure in your target range. And the more you do this, the lower your risk of developing serious problems with your eyes. 

Keeping your eyes healthy for as long as possible is in your control, and we’ve got all the facts and advice to help you do it.