(Metro News Service) Diabetes, a condition in which the body doesn't readily produce or utilize insulin to control blood glucose levels, can damage the body in many different ways. Some may be surprised to learn that diabetes can adversely affect vision.

Diabetic retinopathy, often referred to as diabetic eye disease, is a serious vision condition in which high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina, potentially progressing to permanent vision loss if not addressed, according to DiabetesTeam, a social network for those living with type 2 diabetes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates about 30.3 million adults in the United States have diabetes, and 90 percent of them have type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for diabetic retinopathy and an additional eye disease known as diabetic macular edema.

According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetic retinopathy occurs when too much sugar in the blood causes damage to the small blood vessels that nourish the retina. In advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy, the eye tries to grow new blood vessels, but these new vessels do not form correctly and can leak or bleed easily. The most common type of diabetic retinopathy is nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. With NPDR, new blood vessels do not grow, but the walls of the blood vessels in the retina weaken. Tiny bulges form in the walls of smaller vessels, sometimes leaking fluid and blood into the retina. Sometimes fluid can accumulate in the macula, the center portion of the retina. This condition is known as edema.

Learning symptoms can help catch diabetic eye conditions early on. Here are the most common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, courtesy of UTSouthwestern Medical Center.

· Blurry vision

· White or translucent visual blockers that come and go (floaters)

· Washed out and faded appearance of colors

· Blank or dark areas in your field of vision

· Vision loss

· Changes in vision

The Mayo Clinic urges people to visit an ophthalmologist, particularly one who specializes in retina issues, if any of these symptoms seem familiar. A dilated eye exam will help the eye doctor determine the cause of symptoms and potentially link it to diabetes. In fact, sometimes vision exams are the first step toward a diabetes diagnosis.

A dilated eye exam with an eye care professional is recommended annually, regardless of eye health or diabetes diagnosis. It is essential to contact a medical professional immediately if vision changes suddenly or becomes blurry, hazy, or spotty, or if you see flashes of light.

Currently, there is no treatment to permanently reverse the effects of diabetic retinopathy, but there are ways to manage the condition. During regular office visits, an ophthalmologist can administer medications directly into the eye to reduce retinal swelling and inhibit blood vessel growth. However, the best treatment is to manage blood sugar before symptoms worsen. Preventive care, including exercise and a healthy diet, can reduce a person's risk for type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic eye diseases can affect people who have type 2 diabetes. Prevention, which includes routine visits with an eye care professional, is the best medicine.