If you are a diabetic, please remember Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that can cause vision loss and even blindness.

It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak fluid in the center of the retina or bleed, ultimately distorting vision

In total, 1 in 3 people with diabetes have some degree of Diabetic Retinopathy and 1 in 10 people have a high chance of developing blindness.

Every diabetic is prone for developing retinopathy with age and duration of diabetes.

Younger the age of onset of diabetes and longer the duration of diabetes, more is your chance of developing retinopathy.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol level, anemia, smoking and pregnancy can enhance progression of retinopathy in diabetics

There are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, allowing the disease to progress until it affects your vision and once symptoms appear, vision loss may be permanent, even with treatment and cannot be regained back.

95% of vision loss cases are preventable with early detection and LASER treatment.

Diabetics can also lose vision because of the higher chance of Glaucoma and early onset of Cataract

So, to protect your vision from Diabetic Retinopathy, please

1. •Keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control and
2. •Have an annual comprehensive eye exam, including fundoscopy.