Diabetes, a chronic condition, can affect various aspects of health, including your vision. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), cataracts, and glaucoma are the leading conditions that can threaten the eyesight of diabetics and, if left untreated, could lead to permanent blindness. Understanding how diabetes impacts eye health is crucial for prevention and early treatment.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy, or DR, is the leading cause of blindness in adults. It occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, causing them to swell and leak, leading to blurry vision or even worse a retinal detachment and the possibility of permanent blindness.

Risk Factors for DR

High blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol
Smoking
Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)

The risk of vision loss increases the longer you have DR. In the early stages, the blood vessels in the retina start to weaken and bulge, leading to swelling in the macula, a crucial part of the retina. This swelling is a primary cause of blindness among individuals with DR, and approximately half of those diagnosed will experience this complication. As the condition progresses, the retina may develop new, fragile blood vessels prone to bleeding, resulting in dark spots that can float in your field of vision. In severe cases, significant bleeding can lead to a complete blockage of vision.

Symptoms of DR

It’s important to note that symptoms in the early stages often go unnoticed; however, if you start to experience any of the following, call your eye doctor immediately:

Blurry vision
Spots or dark shapes in vision
Trouble seeing colors
Empty areas in vision
Vision loss

Diagnosis

During an eye exam, your eye doctor will evaluate your retina and the blood vessels in your eye, allowing them to identify any signs of damage or swelling. Early diagnosis is crucial, as timely intervention significantly improves the effectiveness of treatment. Regular eye exams are essential because the early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) often present no noticeable symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, scheduling an eye exam as soon as possible is vital to assess your eye health. For those with type 1 diabetes, the CDC recommends having your eyes examined annually.

If you notice sudden changes in your vision, call your eye doctor immediately:

Blurring
Dark spots
Flashes
Blind spots
Distorted vision
Difficulty reading or doing work

Diabetes also puts you more at risk for developing other eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma.

Cataracts

High blood pressure can lead to deposits accumulating in the eye’s lenses, resulting in cloudiness or cataracts. Although cataracts are commonly associated with aging, individuals with diabetes are at risk for developing this condition at a younger age.

Glaucoma

Those with diabetes are twice as likely to develop open-angle glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma caused by too much pressure in the eye. Early treatment for glaucoma is essential to prevent the disease from getting worse and leading to permanent vision loss.

Prevention

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and scheduling annual eye exams are key to keeping your eyes healthy. Regular dilated eye exams, monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels and while staying active are excellent starting points for keeping your eyes healthy with diabetes.

The relationship between diabetes and eye health is critical and requires attention and proactive management. By staying vigilant about potential eye-related symptoms and scheduling regular eye examinations, individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of developing serious complications. Remember, early detection is vital—don’t wait for symptoms to appear; schedule your eye exam with us today!