Understand Diabetes Vision Loss
Having diabetes means that your body cannot control the level of sugar in your blood
- If your blood sugar is too high, it can cause complications to the blood vessels in the back of your eye—an area called the retina
- Spikes in blood sugar can sometimes cause temporary changes in vision such as blurriness that usually go away once you get your blood sugar levels back to normal
- High blood sugar levels over time can lead to diabetic eye disease, which can lead to vision loss if left untreated
- These complications can cause vision loss
- You may have an early stage of diabetic eye disease and not even know it
Most cases of vision loss from diabetes can be prevented. The first step is getting a retina eye exam each year.
Click below to see ways diabetes can affect your eyes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
- The most common type of diabetic eye disease
- Caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina that are important for seeing fine detail
- Damaged blood vessels in the retina may leak blood and other fluid, leading to
diabetic macular edema (DME) - You may have diabetic retinopathy and not yet have any symptoms
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
- Fluid leaking from damaged blood vessels in the retina can cause swelling (edema)
- This swelling can lead to blurry, washed-out vision and vision loss
- You may have DME even if you have not yet experienced any symptoms
Cataract
- Caused by a clouding of the lens in the front of the eye
- May lead to decreased vision
- Diabetes can increase your risk of developing cataracts
Glaucoma
- Caused by build-up of pressure in the eye
- May cause loss of side (peripheral) vision
- You may have glaucoma even if you have not yet experienced any symptoms
- Diabetes can increase your risk of developing glaucoma
If you have diabetes and experience changes in your vision, see an eye doctor to get a retina eye exam and learn more about treatment options.
FACT
CHECK
OVER 40%
OF PEOPLE
with diabetes
HAVE DIABETIC
EYE DISEASE,
according
to the
NATIONAL EYE
INSTITUTE.