An eye disorder that does not cause inflammation but results from changes in the eye (retinal) blood vessels.

	Diabetes Type II Our Question about vision disturbances "High blood sugar can cause two problems which affect vision, namely blurred vision and retinopathy - a disease of the back of the eye..." Recommendation Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance "...3) Leads to the aggravation of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, cataracts, neuropathy and gastroparesis..." Diarrhea The Condition "...Individuals with diabetic diarrhea usually have severe long-standing glucose intolerance associated with other diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy..." Hypertension Relationship to Retinopathy "...This edema may cause distorted or decreased vision and is a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy..." Retinopathy The Condition "Retinopathy is a noninflammatory disease of the retina..." Our Question about duration of reasonably-controlled diabetes "Uncontrolled diabetes can cause retinopathy, a progressive disease that can lead to complete blindness..." Relationship to Consequences of Poor Diet "A proper diet, particularly for those persons with diabetes, will help delay retinopathy..." Recommendation Surgery "Proliferative retinopathy is treatable in many cases by laser beam (photocoagulation), which stops the fragile blood vessels from leaking and helps prevent blindness or lessen any losses in vision..." Recommendation Tobacco Avoidance "Stopping smoking will help delay retinopathy..." Sickle Cell Trait / Disease Relationship to Retinopathy "The sickle-shaped blood cell reduces blood flow, potentially leading to sickle cell retinopathy..."

Last updated: Feb 28, 2008