Of these, more than 70 per cent will develop some changes in their eyes within 15 years of -diagnosis. Optometrists play a fundamental role in diagnosing these conditions in their early stages when they respond best to treatment.
Diabetes sometimes causes the focusing ability of the eye to weaken or to fluctuate from day to day.
This characteristic has often led to optometrists diagnosing diabetes in their patients. The problem eases when blood sugar levels are controlled by a doctor. After diabetes has been present for some years, changes may occur at the back of the eye in the retina. Your optometrist uses an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to check for these changes. These changes are known as diabetic retinopathy.