Diabetes is becoming an increasingly concerning health problem in New Zealand with more than 250,000 Kiwis currently living with the condition, and an expected increase in numbers by as much as 90 percent over the next 20 years.
If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk of damage from a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to sight loss if it's not treated. One of the most common complications associated with diabetes is also the leading cause of preventable blindness in working aged adults.
Some patients with diabetic retinopathy might not experience any symptoms until it progresses to an advanced stage, while others might experience worsening vision, sudden vision loss, floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision or difficulty recognising colours.
On occasion, some patients have been diagnosed with diabetes after a routine eye appointment, so it's not just diabetics who should be attending regular eye health checks. It's recommended that everyone visit an optometrist at least every two years, but more often if you notice a change in your vision or if advised to by a health professional.
Specsavers Optometrist David Aldridge talks to AM about diabetes and common symptoms associated with the condition.
Watch the video above to learn more about it.
This article was created for Specsavers.
