Your eyes FAQ

Diabetes is a condition characterised by abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In people with type 1 diabetes, mild abnormalities in the retina begin to appear an average of seven years after the diabetes begins, but damage that threatens vision usually does not develop until much later.

In people with type 2 diabetes -- the more common type -- retinopathy may be present at the time of diagnosis or relatively soon afterward. This is because the onset of type 2 diabetes is gradual, and changes in the retina may have already taken place before the diabetes is even diagnosed. Here are the three progressive stages of diabetic retinopathy:....

Read the full story on the John Hopkins Health Alerts

Picture from: precisionnutrition.com

If you spend long hours in front of the computer screen, try these helpful tips to reduce eye strain:
1. Adjust chair height so computer screen is slightly below eye level.
2. Ensure the background lighting is adequate – it should be brighter than the screen.
3. Contact lens wearers may be more comfortable wearing glasses when working at the computer.
4. Position yourself so that you face into open space beyond the screen, not facing a wall.
5. Computer screens attract dust - clean yours regularly
6. Take a ten minute break every couple of hours.
7. Glance away from the screen from time to time, focus on distant objects or look out of the window.
8. Adjust the size of too small text so you don't have to squint. In Internet Explorer, go to View > Text Zoom on the menu bar.
9. Use an eye lubricant if necessary to reduce dryness.
10. Combat glare and reflections with curtains, blinds or a special anti-glare screen.