How diabetes can affect your vision — and your eye health
Having diabetes can put you at higher risk of vision problems. Here’s what you need to know.
Diabetes and vision are closely linked. In fact, diabetes is the number one cause of vision loss in the United States among people ages 18 to 64.1, 2 Diabetes is a condition marked by high blood sugar, and it affects more than 1 in 10 adults.1
In some cases, people don’t realize they have diabetes until their vision starts to change, says Robert C. Layman, O.D., the immediate past president of the American Optometric Association. “Many patients come in with no previous diagnosis of diabetes, just complaining of a sudden change in their vision,” he says.
The close relationship between diabetes and vision loss makes annual eye exams essential, says Dr. Layman. Early detection can help you get the best treatment.3 Here’s how diabetes can impact your eyes, and what you can do to stay healthy.
How diabetes affects eye health
When we’re healthy, our bodies break down food into glucose (blood sugar). It’s then released into our bloodstream. As blood sugar rises, the body releases insulin to help cells absorb glucose and turn it into energy. Diabetes interrupts that natural process. People living with diabetes can’t make or use insulin properly. The condition leads to high blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia.4
When too much sugar stays in the blood, it can damage blood vessels.3 The smallest and most vulnerable blood vessels are often affected first, says Angela Moll, M.D., an ophthalmology specialist in San Diego. “The blood vessels in the eye are some of the tiniest and most fragile.”
When the vessels are damaged, they may leak fluid. This can impact the surrounding tissue and cause vision issues.3
Diabetes can also contribute to nerve damage in the eyes, says Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This can contribute to blurry vision.3
Common eye conditions linked to diabetes
Diabetes can impact different parts of the eye, leading to vision issues and, in some cases, blindness.3 Common conditions include:
Diabetic retinopathy
The early stages of this condition don’t have any symptoms. But if left untreated, it can cause full vision loss. In fact, it’s the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the retina, an area of the eye essential for vision.3
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic retinopathy can lead to diabetic macular edema. This is a result of the macula (the part of the retina responsible for central vision) being damaged.3
Cataracts
High blood sugar can change the eye’s lens, leading to clouding.3 “People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataracts as other adults,” says Dr. Seldomridge.
Diabetic eye symptoms
Whether you’re living with diabetes or not, changes in your vision shouldn’t be ignored. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s a good idea to visit an eye doctor any time you notice an issue with your eyes.6
Common symptoms of diabetes-related eye issues include:
- Blind spots in your side, or peripheral, vision
- Blurred vision
- Dark/empty spot in the center of your vision
- Difficulty seeing well at night
- Light sensitivity
- Red eyes
- Seeing spots or floaters
How to prevent diabetic eye issues
If you’re living with diabetes, it can be scary to think about eye problems that may arise. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that 95% of vision loss from diabetes is preventable, according to the American Diabetes Association.2
Early detection is key, says Dr. Seldomridge. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams, even if they haven’t noticed any vision problems.
Taking steps to manage diabetes can also help prevent or slow vision loss.7 To help keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, Dr. Layman says you may be advised to:
- Avoid alcohol
- Control high blood pressure
- Eat nutritious foods
- Exercise regularly
- Take your prescribed medicines
- Quit smoking
Diabetic eye disease treatments
Prevention is the best treatment. In some cases, blood sugar management can slow down vision problems and stop them from getting worse.7 If this doesn't work, there are treatments that can help.
The treatment your doctor recommends will depend on your condition. Options include:
- Anti-VEGF injections. Patients with diabetic retinopathy may be prescribed anti-VEGF injections. These help prevent your body from making too much vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can lead to the development of abnormal blood vessels in your retina.8
- Laser surgery. For advanced conditions, laser surgery may be an option. Laser surgery is used to stop leaking blood vessels.3 Cataract surgery replaces a cloudy lens with a clear artificial one.5
- Intravitreal corticosteroids. These are corticosteroids that are injected into the eye to reduce diabetic macular edema and help improve vision.8
If you or a loved one has diabetes, know that there is plenty that can be done to prevent vision problems. The key is getting regular vision checks with an eye doctor — and regularly monitoring blood sugar levels. Managing blood sugar with a healthy lifestyle goes a long way toward healthy vision too.
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