Diabetes can cause blindness through several mechanisms:Diabetic Retinopathy1. *Damage to blood vessels*: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to leaks, blockages, and growth of new, fragile vessels.2. *Fluid buildup*: Fluid can accumulate in the retina, causing swelling and damage to the light-sensitive cells.3. *Scar tissue formation*: As the disease progresses, scar tissue can form, leading to retinal detachment and vision loss.Diabetic Macular Edema1. *Fluid buildup in the macula*: The macula, responsible for central vision, can become swollen due to fluid buildup, causing blurred vision and blind spots.Other Complications1. *Cataracts*: People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts, which can cause cloudy vision and blindness.2. *Glaucoma*: Diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness.3. *Retinal detachment*: Diabetic retinopathy can cause retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.Risk Factors1. *Duration of diabetes*: The longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.2. *Blood sugar control*: Poor blood sugar control increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.3. *Hypertension*: High blood pressure can exacerbate diabetic retinopathy.4. *Smoking*: Smoking increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.Prevention and Treatment1. *Regular eye exams*: Schedule regular eye exams to detect diabetic retinopathy early.2. *Blood sugar control*: Maintain good blood sugar control to reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy.3. *Hypertension management*: Control high blood pressure to reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy.4. *Laser treatment*: Laser treatment can help reduce swelling and prevent further vision loss.5. *Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections*: These injections can help reduce swelling and prevent further vision loss.
