human development

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of eye problem affecting people with diabetes, but further diabetes-related eye problems are common - such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Both glaucoma and cataracts can have a serious influence on vision. Diabetic eye disease is a term that encompasses a range of eye problems.

At their most extreme, each of these conditions can cause loss of vision and even blindness.

What are diabetes eye problems?

Diabetes eye problems occur when blood glucose levels are left untreated, or may be hereditary and exacerbated by diabetes (such as cataracts and glaucoma).
A simple visit to an ophthalmologist could help to stop thousands of people each year from going blind, this is why people with diabetes should have a dilated eye examination at least once per year.

Does diabetic eye disease treatment reverse vision damage?

Major studies have shown that laser surgery lowers the risk of vision loss from diabetic eye disease. However, once diabetic eye problems have damaged the vision laser treatment is not effective in reversing damage.

What is the relationship between blood sugar control and diabetes eye problems?

Diabetes eye problems are directly linked to blood sugar control. Consistent control of blood glucose reduces the development and procession of diabetic eye problems considerably.
This was proven amongst type 2 patients in the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a cloudy opacification of the lens of the eye and interferes with your vision, rather like having grime on the windscreen of your car.

What causes it?

The lens of the eye is made of fluid containing protein. This can start to cloud over for various reasons. Cataract is more common with increasing age though it is seen at all ages, even in the newborn.

What are the symptoms?

In the early stages you may not notice any effect on your vision and it may come as a surprise that you have the beginnings of a cataract. You may notice your sight is a little hazy and have difficulty with bright sunlight or the headlights of oncoming cars at night which can appear very bright. Colours may appear somewhat washed out. Reading becomes increasingly difficult.

What is the treatment? 

The treatment of Cataract has advanced greatly in recent times. Surgery is the method of choice and your lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one. Cataract surgery is usually very successful and is probably the most commonly performed surgical procedure. The discovery of a cataract does not always indicate that you need surgery. This will be decided by your Ophthalmologist. You will undergo regular tests of vision once detected so that the optimal timing of surgery can be judged.

What is the law in relation to driving?

Includes severe bilateral cataracts, failed bilateral cataract extraction and post cataract surgery.
Group 1 entitlement - must be able to meet the 'number plate' requirement (between 6/9 and 6/12 on the Snellen Chart)
Group 2 entitlement - New applicants are barred in law if the visual acuity, using corrective lenses if necessary, is worse than 6/9 in the better eye or 6/12 in the other eye, or the uncorrected acuity in either eye is worse than 3/60.