How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?

People with diabetes can experience short-term or long-term eye complications affecting their vision and quality of life. November is National Diabetes Month. The National Eye Health Education Program encourages everyone to spread awareness about how those with diabetes can protect their eyesight. 
 

Diabetic eye diseases are the leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Unfortunately, they have little to no early warning signs. Thus, early detection and treatment and proper follow-up care are the only ways to protect your vision. 
 

Diabetic Eye Diseases at a Glance

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes. This condition increases the risk of vision problems from diabetic eye diseases, such as:

 

• Cataracts

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Glaucoma

• Diabetic macula edema

Diabetic eye diseases are a group of conditions that can develop in people with diabetes. All of them can lead to vision loss and blindness. If you have diabetes, you should take steps to protect your vision by getting regular comprehensive eye exams and diabetic eye screenings. Furthermore, controlling your condition will help lower your risk of vision loss. 

The longer you live with diabetes, the greater your risk of developing vision problems. Fortunately, early detection that leads to treatment can lower the chances of blindness by up to 95 percent. The best way to manage your condition and prevent vision loss is through exercise, diet, and medication. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

This eye condition affects retinal blood vessels and can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. So, it would help to undergo regular comprehensive eye exams. After all, diabetic retinopathy may have little or no signs in the early stage. 

You may notice changes in your vision, such as trouble seeing distant objects or reading, but these changes may come and go. In the later stages, this condition causes retinal blood vessels to start bleeding into the vitreous. That may cause you to see dark, floating streaks or spots. 

Without treatment, scars can start forming in the back of the eye, and the bleeding may worsen. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to other eye conditions. These include retinal detachment, neovascular glaucoma, and diabetic macular edema. 

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. This condition is quite widespread as people age. More than 50 percent of people in the U.S. aged 80 and above have cataracts or underwent cataract surgery. Cataracts can make your vision less colorful, hazy, or blurry if left untreated. You may also have trouble doing ordinary activities like reading or driving at night. Other cataracts symptoms include:

 

• Seeing halos around lights

• Sunlight, headlights, or lamps seem too bright

• Seeing double

• Needing to change the prescription or your corrective eyewear often

Glaucoma

People with diabetes risk developing glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the eye’s optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss or even blindness. Symptoms often develop so slowly that many people do not notice them. 

A comprehensive eye exam is the only way to determine whether you have this condition. Glaucoma has no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can stop eye damage and protect your vision.

Conclusion

Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month is the perfect time to learn about diabetic eye diseases and spread awareness. People with diabetes should know the steps they can take to protect their eyesight. 

For more information on diabetic eye diseases, contact Lakhani Vision Care at our Marietta, Georgia office. Call 770.509.9932 to schedule an appointment today.