Diabetes symptoms: Three ways the blood sugar condition can affect your eyes

From express.co.uk

DIABETES is a lifelong condition, and a very common one in the UK, usually caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. Left untreated it can cause a number of health problems, including three to do with your eyes.

Diabetes causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
In the case of type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
With type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin, explains the NHS.
If diabetes is left untreated, serious health conditions can occur, including three to do with the eyes.

Cataracts 

Diabetes is one of the key factors that results in the development of cataracts, according to Diabetes.co.uk.
It adds: “Although the reasons why are still not fully understood, people with diabetes mellitus statistically face a 60 per cent greater risk of developing cataracts.
“As with most complications of diabetes, maintaining good control of your blood sugar levels will help to reduce your risk.”

Glaucoma 

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when changes in blood glucose levels cause changes in retinal blood vessels. People with this have been found to have increased risk of glaucoma.

Abnormal blood vessel growth blocks the natural drainage of the eye.
Glaucoma is caused by the fluid pressing on the nerve at the back of the eye.
Symptoms of glaucoma include loss of sight, blurred vision or a halo around its, and pain in the eye.

Blurry vision 

High levels of blood sugar, as a result of diabetes, can cause the lens in the eye to swell, which can cause temporary blurred vision.
This canals occur as a result of very low blood sugar levels.

    Diabetes symptoms: The condition can lead to the development of glaucoma (Image: GETTY)

Other causes of blurry vision linked to diabetes could be glaucoma and cataracts.
One way to control or prevent type 2 diabetes developing is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
But with the festive season in full swing, what does this mean when it comes to having an alcoholic drink?
You can drink alcohol, but you need to be aware of how it can affect your body and how to manage this, advises Diabetes UK.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1051608/diabetes-symptoms-eye-glaucoma-cataracts-blurred-vision