Do you know what the leading cause of blindness is in Americans from ages 20 to 74 It is diabetes, an illness that changes the way the body breaks down and absorbs sugars. These changes, doctors feel, take away oxygen that the retina needs. (The retina is the back layer of the eye and it is where sharp images are formed.) When this happens some small blood vessels may become weak and break vision problems occur when this blood leaks into the areas around the retina. Diabetes can also cause glaucoma and cataracts. Glaucoma is a disease that causes a lot of pressure in the eye because too much fluid builds up. Cataracts, on the other hand, cloud the lens of the eye and this makes a person feel like he or she is looking through a grimy window. How do doctors treat these eye disorders To repair cataracts doctors often try laser surgery. For glaucoma, doctors often prescribe eye drops or pills and if the problem worsens they may try laser surgery as well. To protect their vision individuals with diabetes must pay careful attention to their eye care.