How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes?

Common Diabetic Eye Problems

How does diabetes affect the eyes? There are several ways diabetes can affect your eyes and vision. The four most common conditions are:

1. Diabetic Retinopathy: This is a condition that damages vessels around the eye’s retina. Mild cases will typically have no symptoms, however, in severe states it can cause the retina to detach. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.
   Treatment: Treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. First and foremost, a patient should work with their primary physician to manage blood sugar levels. In mild cases, an eye doctor may suggest you return for an annual exam for careful monitoring. In more severe cases, surgery or laser treatment may be necessary.
2. Glaucoma: People with diabetes are at high risk for glaucoma, a condition where pressure builds up inside your eye. This can lead to nerve damage and vision loss.
   Treatment: This condition often has no symptoms until later stages. Going in for an annual exam can help detect the problem early on and prevent vision loss. Treatment will involve lowering the pressure in your eyes through prescription medications, surgery, or laser treatment.
3. Cataracts: This is a condition where a cloudy area forms over your eye’s lens, resulting in blurry vision. While this often occurs in aging eyes, people with diabetes tend to get cataracts earlier on with worse symptoms.
   Treatment: An eye doctor can help catch cataracts early on and recommend surgery to remove the cloudy area before your vision affects your daily activities.
4. Blurry Vision: High blood sugar can cause your eye’s lens to swell, resulting in blurry vision.
   Treatment: To correct this, you’ll need to regulate your blood sugar. It may take up to three months for your vision to return to normal. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to make sure it isn’t something more serious.