(1) Does my diabetes has an effect on my eye?

Yes. Diabetes affects retina. The condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Depending upon nature of damage, it is classified as proliferative and non-proliferative type.

(2) How can I prevent blindness from diabetes?

Diabetic retinopathy, if detected early and treated promptly, does not cause blindness in most of the patients. All you need to do is to get dilated eye examination every year.  Please remember, chances of developing diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes.

(3)What are other precautions I can take?

Apart from regular eye check up, control of diabetes is desirable. Other risk factors for developing diabetic retionopathy are raised blood pressure, high lipid levels, smoking, and obesity.

(4)Which are treatment options for diabetic Retinopathy?

Depending upon type of damage, diabetic retinopathy can be treated with various injections inside the eye and lasers. In advanced disease, surgery is an option.