Diabetes can have various effects on the eyes,
most commonly the retina. The walls of the blood
vessels tend to become weakened. Over time,
the walls may bulge - known as an aneurysm. This creates an 'eddy' in the blood flow which
can eventually block. Blood and other fluids
also tend to leak from the blood vessels. This results in a build up of lipids in the
layers of the retina. Because of the reduction
in blood flow, new blood vessels tend to form. However these blood vessels are fragile and
bleed easily. If the new blood vessels bleed
into the jelly in the eye (the vitreous), there
can be a sudden loss of vision. But this may
clear somewhat over time. |