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What you need to know about diabetes

We take a closer look at the impact of the disease on eye health

It’s a little-known fact that diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in New Zealand. That means 300,000 Kiwis living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk of losing their vision.

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Diabetes New Zealand’s biggest campaign, Diabetes Action Month, aims to raise awareness for the largest and fastest-growing condition in the country. This year, the charity’s campaign, which runs throughout November, focuses on eye health and highlights the importance of regular eye checks, and good blood glucose management for people with diabetes. With early diagnosis and treatment, eye damage can be reduced or even prevented.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that damages tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina). This causes the blood vessels to weaken and leak fluid or blood. One in three people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy in their lifetime.

How can diabetes affect my eyes?

In the short-term, high blood glucose levels can cause your vision to blur temporarily due to a change in the shape of the lens in your eye. You can experience blurred vision at different times of your diabetes journey, including before you’re diagnosed, when starting a new treatment or when your blood glucose levels change quickly between high and low.

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Diabetes can also lead to long-term eye problems including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Factors that increase your risk of these more serious eye problems include consistently high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. These eye problems can lead to reduced vision or blindness if left untreated.

What can I do to prevent damage to my eyes?

Thankfully, if you have diabetes, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of eye damage.

Some important things you can do:

  • Have regular full diabetes eye checks – ideally at least every two years or as directed by your doctor or an eye specialist

  • Maintain healthy blood glucose levels

  • Maintain healthy cholesterol

  • Maintain a healthy blood pressure

  • Quit smoking if you are a smoker

  • Report any rapid changes in your sight to your doctor or eye specialist immediately.

What symptoms should I look for?

In the early stages, there may be no symptoms, which is why regular eye checks are important. Some recognisable symptoms can include blurred vision, seeing double, feeling pressure in one or both of your eyes, less peripheral vision, seeing floating spots or flashes, sensitivity to light and poor night vision.

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How do I get a diabetes eye check?

Talk to your doctor or diabetes health professional for information on how to get a diabetes eye check. Your doctor can refer you to an optometrist. They can also refer you to the free Diabetes Retinal Screening Programme.

The lowdown on diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition that prevents the body from properly using energy from the food we eat. Glucose (sugar) is the main source of energy for the body’s cells and during digestion, glucose moves into the bloodstream to feed our cells. Our pancreas produces insulin, which is needed to help the glucose enter those cells. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough or any insulin, or when the insulin doesn’t work properly.

If your body does not have sufficient insulin to keep up with the glucose coming into your bloodstream, your blood glucose level will rise too high. If blood glucose levels are not well controlled, in the long-term they can cause very serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, blindness, amputation and kidney failure.

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There are three main types of diabetes

Type 1 is usually caused by an auto-immune reaction where the body’s defence system attacks the cells that produce insulin. People with type 1 produce very little or no insulin and need injections of insulin every day in order to control their blood sugar levels.

Type 2 accounts for 90 percent of all cases. Diagnosis is mainly in adults but can also happen in younger age groups. The diagnosis is often made when a health complication occurs or a routine blood test is done. People with type 2 can often initially manage their condition through a good diet and movement. However, over time, some people may need to be prescribed medication and/or insulin.

Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman has high levels of glucose in her blood. Unlike type 1 and type 2, gestational diabetes is only temporary and usually disappears after pregnancy.

To find out more about diabetes and to complete the “Know Your Risk” test, visit diabetes.org.nz.

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Mark it in your diary!

Wear your sneakers to work on November 17 for Sneaker Friday! The fundraising event supports Kiwis living with diabetes – and it’s easy to get involved. To find out more and sign up, visit diabetesactionmonth.org.nz

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