In diabetes, there is too much sugar in the blood. When the blood sugar is frequently high, many complications occur. Eyesight can suffer; heart attacks, strokes, and other blood vessel problems can occur, and one's like span can be shortened. When the blood sugar is maintained at a normal level (between 80 and 120) most of the time, the complications of diabetes, including serious single most important thing a person with diabetes can do to prevent of reduce the complications of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

There are two types of diabetes: Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes usually begins at a young age. People with Type I diabetes must take insulin to survive and to control blood sugar. Insulin is injected under the skin, or a pump can deliver the insulin automatically. Insulin does not come in a pill. Insulin comes in different types that differ in how fast they start to work and how of insulin for you and will tell you at what time of day to use it. People with Type I diabetes should test their own blood sugar with a blood sugar-monitoring device (meter) several times daily so they can adjust their diet, exercise, and insulin doese to keep the blood sugar level between 80 and 120 most of the time. They should follow a diet controlled in carbohydrates and low in fat and cholesterol. Regular exercise is also very important as it helps reduce blood sugar.

Type II diabetes usually starts in adult life and is often not dependent on insulin for control of blood sugar. Maintaining normal weight and diet low in calories, fat, and cholesterol are very important. Blood sugar can be controlled either with diet alone or in combination with pills to lower blood sugar. In some cases, insulin treatment is also necessary.

All people with diabetes should remain under the care of a health care provider who has knowledge of the important ways to help people with diabetes carefully control their blood sugar. The doctor will probably measure the patient's hemoglobin A1c. This important test reflects the average blood sugar level for the past three months and is the best way to know if your diabetes is under good control. The hemoglobin A1c test should be performed several times each year.

In addition to the importance of diet and exercise, there are other factors that can affect diabetes. High blood pressure is very bad for people with diabetes because it increases the likelihood of complications, including loss of vision. Blood pressure should be strictly controlled and kept normal if at all possible. Smoking is known to be particularly bad for people with diabetes beacuase it promotes the obstruction of blood vessels.

Finally, the severity of diabetic retinopathy is often related to the length of time the person has had diabetes. It is unusual for someone with Type I diabestes to have significant diabetic retinopathy during the first 10 years of the disease. After 10 to 20 years, most people with Type I diabetes, the diabetic retinopathy may be discovered shortly after, or sometimes even beforek, the diabetes is diagnosed.

All people with diabetes, especially those who have had diabetes a long time, should have regular eye examinations. Dilated pupil examinations of the retina should be done to be sure that diabetic retinopathy is not developing.