Diabetes affects many individuals in Hawaii and is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. Although diabetes is detected by laboratory blood tests ordered by your physician, people who have yet to visit their physician often report symptoms of 1) always being thirsty, 2) always being hungry, and 3) having to urinate frequently.
Each year we see patients with diabetes who have yet to be diagnosed by their physicians because they choose not to see their doctor routinely. Their most common visual complaint is blurred vision and this is what we see when looking into their eyes:
Diabetic RetinopathyThe red blotches are hemorrhages in the retina of the eye. The white fuzzy patches are called "cotton-wool" spots created by retinal nerve swelling. If left uncontrolled, diabetes often leads to recurrent bleeding in the eye, scarring and blindness. Vision loss from diabetes is preventable. It requires tight control of blood sugar which results from taking the prescribed medication, exercise and eating a healthy diet.
Because diabetes is a leading cause of acquired blindness in America, all diabetics should see their eye doctor annually or more frequently depending on the severity of their condition. More advanced diabetic retinopathy requires the attention of a retinal specialist.
For more information visit: http://www.diabetes.org