Retinopathy is the name given to 'disease of the retina' due to diabetes, and is described below. Blindness from retinopathy can in theory be prevented, and has in Iceland. Read below to see how this may have been done, but if you cannot wait click. This check needs to be carried out every year. Type one diabetes usually begins in young people.
Inflammation begins in the islet cells in the pancreas which make insulin.
As the islet cells become damaged, less insulin is made, and diabetes develops. This inflammation occurs as the body's immune system attacks the islet cells when it shouldn't. This is because we all have inherited different immune systems and slightly different coatings on the different cells of the body. Type 1 diabetes is much commoner in Western Countries such as parts of Scandinavia that other countries. The reason is not known, but breast feeding up to six months of age is said to reduce the incidence.