The Connection Between Diabetes and Vision Loss: What You Need to Know

There’s a strong connection between diabetes and vision loss. Whatever stage you might be at (moderately overweight, pre-diabetic, or been diagnosed with the disease) it’s vital to understand how this metabolic condition directly impacts the eyes. 

Diabetes and Vision Loss

• A quick overview of diabetes
• How diabetes affects the eyes and diabetic eye conditions

A quick overview of diabetes

Diabetes is a systemic disorder that affects different parts of the body. There are two types—1 and 2, both of which are characterized by the body’s inability to maintain healthy levels of sugar. When this is consistently high, it causes damage to various organs—including the heart, the blood vessels, the nerves, the kidneys, and the eyes.

How diabetes affects the eyes and diabetic eye conditions

Diabetes causes various eye conditions, all of which are grouped under the phrase, “diabetic eye disease”.

These consist of:

• Diabetic retinopathy: This is the most common issue and affects the blood vessels within the retina. The vessels may swell and leak fluid into the eye and/or new faulty blood vessels form—something called neovascularization. Unchecked, this can lead to issues including blurred vision, retinal detachment, and glaucoma (raised pressure within the eye). Ultimately, diabetic retinopathy can cause complete vision loss.
• Diabetic macular edema (DME): This is also linked to leaking blood vessels and associated raised pressure within the eye. In this case, the fluid leaks into the central part of the retina—known as the macula—causing it to swell. While this doesn’t necessarily cause total blindness, if it isn’t treated it can potentially cause significant loss of vision.
• Cataracts: Having diabetes increases the risk of developing early-onset cataracts. This is because high sugar levels (glucose) cause the eye lenses to undergo structural changes that make it more susceptible to cataract formation. People with diabetes are 2-5 times more likely than those without to suffer from cataracts.

Mitigating Steps to Reduce the Chance of Eyesight Issues

• Preventing vision loss from diabetes
• Partnering with an ophthalmologist who specializes in diabetes care

Preventing vision loss from diabetes

While all the above can seem pretty grim, there are multiple steps to reduce the likelihood of suffering from diabetic eye disease. The number one thing to do is to control the levels of glucose within the blood. This involves efforts to:

• Monitor blood sugar.
• Adopt a healthy diet.
• Reduce or cut out alcohol.
• Stop (or don’t start) smoking or vaping.
• Take medication as prescribed.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain an appropriate weight.
• Attend diabetic appointments (where you’ll have your long-term blood sugar levels checked).
• Having regular eye examinations with a diabetic ophthalmologist.

Partnering with an ophthalmologist who specializes in diabetic care

The importance of regular eye checks can’t be overstressed. This should be from an eye doctor experienced in diabetic-related eye conditions. Any initial symptoms of diabetic eye disease are usually very subtle—if any at all. It’s only through detailed examinations and photographs taken of the back of the eye that signs will be picked up at the earliest stage.

Entrusting your vision to a diabetic ophthalmologist will mean that not only will they have the best diagnostic skills, but they’re likely to offer the very latest treatments to slow, halt, or even reverse many diabetes-related visual conditions. Technology is moving at a dramatic rate, with new medications and procedures offering incredible advancements in care that a specialist eye doctor may be able to perform.

Worried About Diabetes and Vision Loss? Call the WBEC Today

The West Boca Eye Center offers the ultimate diabetic eye care. From crucial monitoring to cutting-edge treatments, there’s no better place in the country to ensure you benefit from your best possible eyesight.

With academic-grade facilities and some of the world’s best clinicians, patients can rest assured that they really are in the best hands.

Discover more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/ and call today to book a consultation.