Worrying about your vision loss when you have diabetes is valid. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population, and it is one of the most common complications.
But how long does it take to go blind from diabetes? The answer is not a single number, because the timeline depends on multiple factors.
Several factors determine how quickly diabetic eye disease develops and worsens, and understanding them can help you take timely action to protect your vision.
Strict blood sugar control significantly lowers the risk of diabetes-related eye damage. When diabetes remains uncontrolled, the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy increases.
Mild diabetic retinopathy may take around 8 years to develop. However, once it reaches mild or moderate stages, it can progress to more serious stages within a year
Higher HbA1c levels are linked to faster disease progression. HbA1c, also called glycated haemoglobin, is a blood test that reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.
The longer you live with diabetes, the higher your risk. Those with less than 5 years of diabetes had about a 17% risk, while after 15 years, the risk increased to nearly 90%.
In people with diabetes for over 6 years, proper insulin therapy, including insulin pumps in type 1 diabetes, reduced the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by 76% and slowed progression by 54%.
Healthy lifestyle changes can help you manage diabetes and prevent complications. These are the changes you can include:
Research highlights that the longer you live with diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar and blood pressure are, the greater your risk of retinopathy and vision loss.
Taking proactive steps, including regular eye exams beginning soon after diagnosis and strict management of systemic risk factors, gives you the best chance of preserving your vision.
The information provided herein is only intended to bring general awareness among the patients, and the same shall not be considered as a substitute for prescription or medical advice. Patients shall consult the registered medical practitioners before buying or taking any prescription drugs. USV Private Limited does not promote the use of any drug nor validate the studies referred herein, and disclaims all the liabilities arising from the use of the information or any drug. Copying, circulation, and distribution of this content is strictly prohibited.
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