How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes and Vision

Diabetes makes it harder for your body to control blood sugar. When you eat, your food is broken down into glucose, a type of sugar. Normally, insulin helps move this sugar into your cells for energy.

If you have diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it well, so sugar builds up in your blood.

How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes and Vision

Blurry Vision That Comes and Goes

High blood sugar causes the lens in the eye to swell, which changes your focus and makes your vision blurry. This blurriness often comes and goes. You should expect your vision to improve as soon as your blood sugar returns to normal levels. If you need new glasses, wait until your blood sugar is steady.

Cataracts

Cataracts make the lens inside your eye cloudy. People with diabetes often get cataracts earlier, and they can get worse faster. High blood sugar can cause deposits in the lens. Keeping your blood sugar under control may help slow down cataracts.

Glaucoma

Diabetes raises your risk of glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve. One type, called neovascular glaucoma, happens when new, abnormal blood vessels grow on the iris. These vessels block fluid drainage, increasing pressure in the eye. Regular eye exams can find glaucoma early, before you notice any symptoms.

Diabetic Retinopathy

What is the most common eye problem for people with diabetes? Diabetic retinopathy. This condition results from high blood sugar damaging the tiny vessels in your retina.

At first, you might not notice any changes. Over time, these vessels can leak fluid and cause swelling in the macula, which you need for sharp central vision.

In later stages, new, weak blood vessels can grow and bleed into your eye. This can cause scar tissue and even retinal detachment. There are treatments, but it is very important to find the problem early.

Macular Edema

Fluid leaking from damaged blood vessels can cause swelling in the macula. This is called diabetic macular edema. This can blur your central vision, making it hard to read or recognize faces. It is a common problem for people with diabetic retinopathy and often needs treatment.

Double Vision

Diabetes can hurt the nerves that tell your eye muscles what to do. If one muscle does not work properly, your eyes do not move together, and your brain sees two images instead of one. This double vision usually lasts for a few days or weeks. Managing your blood sugar well can help this condition.

Eye Infections

Here is another thing to watch for. Diabetes can weaken your immune system, so infections hit harder. Pink eye is a common one. Simple habits like washing your hands and keeping them away from your eyes make a difference.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Eyes

Get a Dilated Eye Exam Every Year

Diabetic eye disease often does not cause symptoms at first. A dilated eye exam lets your doctor look inside your eye and find problems before they affect your vision.

Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

High blood pressure and cholesterol put extra strain on blood vessels that are already at risk. Managing these helps protect your eyes and supports your overall health.

Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check

Keeping your blood sugar under control protects the small blood vessels in your eyes. It also helps prevent cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye problems.

Watch for Warning Signs

If you suddenly notice changes in your vision, floaters, flashes of light, or dark spots, do not wait. Call your eye doctor right away.

For more on diabetes and its effects on your eyes and vision, visit Westside Vision Optometry. Our office is in Los Angeles, California. Call (424) 249-1957 to schedule an appointment today.

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/5-facts-about-diabetes-your-eyes

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-eye-problems