Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease. The disease is characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) due to a lack of insulin in the body’s hormone levels. High blood sugar levels continuously over the years can cause complications, especially in the eyes, heart, and kidney. Complications of diabetes in the eye can cause blindness, which actually can be avoided (avoidable blindness) with good diabetes management, including a strict diet, exercise, medication, control of comorbidities such as hypertension and high cholesterol, and smoking cessation.
Blind or Retinal disorders or Diabetic Retinopathy because of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic retinopathy or retinal disorders as part of the complications of diabetes are often neglected and not recognized. In fact, the complications can eliminate vision. Eye Health Program Manager Helen Keller International said that, diabetes is a major issue. There are 13.5 million diabetics in Indonesia. Almost all patients with diabetes type one and 60 percent of patients at risk of suffering from diabetes type two of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes affects the small blood vessels in one part of the eye, the retina.
“Many are detected late. When a new vision began to blur the patient went to an ophthalmologist. In fact, retinopathy can be prevented if diabetes continues to be controlled, “he said. The delay was, among others, due to retinal screening has not been to a diabetes treatment program.