Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 20–74?¹ Many people don’t realize that diabetes can have a major impact on their eyesight. Fortunately, with regular diabetic eye exams, we can detect issues early and treat them before they cause permanent damage.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for cells and tissues in your muscles and organs, as well as the main source of fuel for your brain. Diabetes can cause fatigue and weight loss along with blurry vision, which is worsened by high levels of blood sugar.
How diabetes affects the eyes
People who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can develop serious complications with their eye health and vision. Diabetes can affect the eyes when blood sugar is too high, particularly when this level is not controlled over time. When blood sugar is too high, it can damage the blood vessels in the back of the eyes, which may leak fluid or cause swelling. This damage can lead to diabetic eye disease.
What is diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye diseases that can affect people with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma. Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease, but the risk increases the longer someone has diabetes and if blood sugar levels are not controlled.
Types of diabetic eye disease
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss and blindness for diabetics. This disease affects the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer in the back of the eye.
In the early stages of the disease, there may not be any obvious symptoms. In the later stages, as blood vessels begin to bleed into the vitreous—the gel-like fluid that fills the eye—dark, floating spots or streaks may appear in your vision.
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes. Women with diabetes who get pregnant or develop diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) are also at high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. If you are pregnant and have diabetes, you should get a diabetic eye exam as soon as possible.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common occurrence as people get older, but they can happen to diabetics at an earlier age than people without diabetes. Cataracts cause the front part of the eye to become cloudy and lead to other symptoms, such as:
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Colors seeming faded
- Reduced night vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema is a complication of diabetes caused by fluid buildup in the macula, which is the part of the retina used to see clearly while driving, reading, and seeing faces. This disease can damage the vision in this part of the eye and lead to either partial vision loss or blindness.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. This disease is sometimes called “the silent thief of sight” because it can begin with little to no pain or symptoms, and the only way to catch it is through regular comprehensive eye exams. Diabetics have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
Why you should schedule annual diabetic eye exams
It is important for diabetics to get regular eye exams to avoid vision loss or other eye problems. At Vision Salon Eye Care Associates, our eye doctors have completed advanced post-doctorate training in diabetic eye care, ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality eye care and individualized treatment options. We also work closely with patients to support holistic lifestyle changes that can help protect their eyes and reduce the risk of diabetes-related eye problems.
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it is very important to come in for comprehensive eye health care regularly. Book an appointment with the doctors at Vision Salon Eye Care Associates today!
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