The NHS has highlighted that blurred vision can be a symptom of type 2 diabetes. More than one million people in the UK are believed to have the condition without a formal diagnosis.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the hormone insulin does not work properly or the body does not produce enough. This leads to high blood glucose levels. It mainly affects adults but can also occur in children.
Management and Risk Factors
The condition can be managed through diet, exercise, or medication. Certain groups are at higher risk: white people over 40, or people over 25 from South Asian, Chinese, Black African or Black Caribbean backgrounds. Others at risk include those with a parent or sibling with diabetes, individuals who are overweight and inactive, and those with high blood pressure.
Common and Uncommon Symptoms
Frequently reported symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, constant thirst, and increased urination. The NHS also notes less common signs such as blurred vision, slow-healing cuts or wounds, itching around the genital area, or recurring thrush. Symptoms may develop slowly, and not everyone experiences obvious signs.
The NHS advises seeing a GP if you suspect you or your child may have type 2 diabetes, or if you are at increased risk. As the guidance states: "Not everyone with type 2 diabetes has symptoms, so it's important to get checked out."
