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Diabetic Retinopathy

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition which occurs when the blood lacks a substance called insulin. Insulin is a substance in the blood that breaks down glucose.

When the glucose level in the blood becomes too concentrated, the rult is a condition called Hyperglycaemia. If insulin is not introduced into the blood this condition can be fatal.

There are two major types of Diabetes:-

  • Insulin Dependent Diabetes. This is usually caused by physical damage to an organ called the Pancreas. The Pancreas is the organ responsible for producing Insulin and monitoring the glucose level in the blood. The damage to the pancreas can be caused in numerous ways ( e.g. infection, physical damage from an accident, alcohol or drug abuse). This form of diabetes is not inherited, although some people can inherit a predisposition, which makes them susceptible to pancreatic damage.
  • Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes. At the moment this has no known cause, although in many cases it seems to be inherited from a parent. This condition usually starts to show itself between the ages 0f 50 and 70 years of age, and is quite rare before middle age

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For More Information you can Contact Us and you can take a look at these useful links:

South Sefton Diabetes Group - The Sefton Diabetes Group has a great site with lots of news and a forum for people suffering from diabetes, and it also has a recipes page with some handy tips on recommended diets ect.

Support-Group.com - A great site with a message board as well as an excellent range of resources within the UK for Diabetics.

European Association for the Study of Diabetic Eye Complications - A professional site but with lots of patient information about diabetes and eye problems related to diabetes such as cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (UK) - funds research to find a cure for insulin-dependent diabetes and its complications. Disseminates information through publications and meetings, to help people to live lives less severely impacted by diabetes.

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