Diabetic Eye Disease describes a number of eye problems that affect patients with diabetes. Eye problems that Diabetics face may include cataracts, glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy (http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp).
A number of people with Diabetes suffer from the misconception that the disease process of Diabetes Mellitus is mainly related to an inability to effectively metabolize glucose. Diabetes actually produces effects that touch organs and tissues throughout your body. The most problematic effects of Diabetes are caused by the damage it does to small blood vessels in the legs, kidneys, heart brain and eyes-in particular the tiny blood vessels found within the Retina. When diabetes causes damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, it is called Diabetic Retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among Americans under the age of 65. For most patients, having access to early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
Diabetic Retinopathy tends to appear and progress in phases that can be readily observed during routine diabetic eye examinations.
