One study showed that nerve damage to the eye began long before the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

A new study presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm, Sweden (September 19-23) shows that damage to the corneal nerve begins before type 2 diabetes is diagnosed
.

Nerve damage or neuropathy is a common serious complication
of type 2 diabetes.

The loss of corneal nerves can lead to a range of problems
from dry eye to vision loss.

Dr.

The average age of the 3471 participants (48.

The degree of damage to corneal nerve fibers is consistent
with the degree of damage to glucose metabolism.

Higher blood glucose levels, including higher glycosylated hemoglobin (average blood glucose levels over several months) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (blood glucose levels two hours after a meal), are also associated
with higher levels of corneal nerve damage.

The higher the blood glucose level, the greater
the damage.

Participants who had had diabetes for a longer period of time also suffered more damage to their corneal nerves
.

The researchers concluded that the amount of damage to the corneal nerve fibers increased
linearly with the amount of glucose metabolism damage and blood glucose levels.

Dr Mokhtar said: "We know from other studies that it usually takes 3 to 5 years for prediabetes to develop into type 2 diabetes
.

"Nerve damage to the cornea is relatively easy to measure and provides a window
for nerve damage in other parts of the body.

"However, further research is needed to prove that higher blood glucose levels are the cause of the injury, and whether early blood sugar control can delay or prevent the injury
.