Diabetes and your vision

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Diabetes can damage your eyes over time and cause vision loss, even blindness. The good news is managing your diabetes and getting regular eye exams can help prevent vision problems and stop them from getting worse. Eye diseases that can affect people with diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, macular edema (which usually develops along with diabetic retinopathy), cataracts, and glaucoma. All can lead to vision loss, but early diagnosis and treatment can go a long way toward protecting your eyesight.

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Anyone with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant) can develop diabetic retinopathy. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop it. Call your eye doctor if you notice changes in your vision, especially if they happen suddenly. Changes may include blurring, spots, flashes, blind spots, distortion and difficulty reading or doing detailed work.

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Useful tip

You can protect your vision and lower your chance for vision loss by getting a dilated eye exam at least once a year, keeping your blood sugar levels in your target range as much as possible, Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in your target range, quit smoking and keep active.

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Source: The American Diabetes Association and the cdc.gov

Nothing in this article should be considered medical advice. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. In a case of medical emergency call 911.

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