Are there ways to live with untreated diabetes?

Possible, not good: Mild cases of diabetes can be asymptomatic, but that does not mean that damage is not occurring. I saw a woman for a routine eye exam with no history of medical problems or symptoms and found widespread diabetic retinopathy affecting both eyes. She then said she had gestational diabetes while pregnant 10 years prior. She probably had full blown diabetes, with no symptoms, the whole time!