Diabetes and your eyes (easy read)
Easy read fact sheet on how diabetes can affect your eyes.
![Diabetes](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Diabetes%20test3%20%281%29_0.png?itok=FjuZQ521)
People with diabetes may have problems with their eyes
![Eye test](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eyetest1%20%282%29_0.png?itok=nUieo2Ke)
There is a special eye check for people with diabetes.
![Diabetes eye screening](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Diabetes%20nurse2.png?itok=-f1tdM8z)
This is sometimes called NHS Diabetic Eye Screening.
![Eye test](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Optician%20eye%20test3%20%282%29.png?itok=8YuGDRDy)
It is important your eyes are tested every year to check for problems.
![Easy read](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Easy%20Read%20Info%201%20%281%29_0.png?itok=9ZZGFHae)
We have a factsheet about the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Test.
![Eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eye%20%282%29_0.png?itok=JfUSVjQa)
Diabetes makes changes to the inside of your eyes.
![Good eye sight](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eye%20good.png?itok=lfRwUsa7)
Sometimes your sight doesn’t change and you can still see clearly.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Orthoptist.png?itok=56l2oL3l)
Eye doctors call this Background Diabetic Retinopathy.
![Advice](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Talk%20and%20listen%20%281%29.png?itok=TKJ2Uvij)
Listen to your doctor’s advice about living healthily.
![Healthy](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Healthy%204.png?itok=4XaWbye4)
Living healthy will help with your diabetes.
![Blurry vision](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/blur.png?itok=-ZDdGXQd)
Sometimes your sight may become blurry.
![Look](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Look%20close1.png?itok=tgbSaUf1)
This makes it harder to see clearly.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Orthoptist_0.png?itok=AU_NWBzN)
Eye doctors call this Diabetic Maculopathy.
![Bad eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eye%281%29.png?itok=L-gls87m)
Your sight can suddenly get worse and become patchy.
![Patches in your vision](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/visionssues.png?itok=BG0GI_ZN)
You will not be able to see parts of what you look at.
![Eye doctor](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Orthoptist_1.png?itok=oQaQB7st)
Eye doctors call this Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.
![Eye](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Body%204%20Eye%202_0.png?itok=DetVkjIa)
People with diabetes may also have cataracts.
![Cataract](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Cataract_1.jpg?itok=DbsrLQOh)
A cataract is when the lens in the eye becomes cloudy.
![Easy read](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Easy%20Read%20Info%201%20%281%29_1.png?itok=I3DkiHOW)
We have a factsheet about cataracts.
![GP appointment](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/GP%20Doctor%206_0.png?itok=yBBxNDqt)
If you have diabetes you should:
- Go to all your health appointments
![Eye test](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Optician%20eye%20test2%20%284%29_0.png?itok=bYu4sfQf)
- Still go to the optician for an eye test every year
![Healthy food](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Food%20Healthy.png?itok=i-rYJuDb)
- Ask your doctor about healthy food to eat
![Medicine](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Medicine.png?itok=DQk-n88t)
- Take your medicine
![Healthy](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Healthy%203.png?itok=zYNgnb4p)
- Have a healthy lifestyle
![Eye test](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Optician%20eye%20test3%20%282%29_0.png?itok=GMWE7zoF)
Having your eyes checked is the only way to find out if diabetes is making your eyesight worse.
![Eye test](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Eyetest1%20%282%29.png?itok=ON-BSdFS)
Your eye doctor can also tell you about treatments to make your eyes better.
![GP](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2023-09/Place%20GP%20Surgery%20%281%29.png?itok=G9vO0GHG)
Talk to your GP or optician if your eyesight changes or you are worried about your eyes.