Gaining insight into diabetes
Post on 15th June 2023
Did you know that diabetes is the number one cause of blindness of people of working age in the UK? That is why having regular eye tests are so important, as they are a very good way of detecting signs of diabetes.
At Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, we have over 80 years of experience helping people care for their eye health, including conditions such as diabetes.
Eye tests provide more than a check on your vision; they give an insight into overall well being and can reveal whether you are at risk of diabetes based on the retinal vascular changes and blood vessel patterns in your eyes.
One in five people live with diabetes, that’s 4.3 million in the UK, including an additional 850,000 who do not know they have diabetes, bringing the overall figure beyond 5 million.
However, there is action you can take to reduce your chances of developing diabetes complications, such as damage to your eyes:
- Control your blood pressure, glucose, and blood fat levels with a balanced diet
- Keep active
- Maintain an ideal body weight
- Giving up smoking
- Reduce your alcohol intake
- Manage stress levels
These lifestyle choices can help improve overall health as well as reduce the risk of eye complications.
People with diabetes are advised to have their eyes tested every year. Around 30% will develop diabetic retinopathy, which if left undetected could lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy – damage to the back of the eye (retina) – is treatable, but it has to be picked up first.
If you have any concerns about about your eye health, you will find help and advice at your local Scrivens branch.
If you found this blog useful, you may also be interested in learning about glaucoma, which is another leading cause of blindness in the UK.