Diabetes affects the eyes in many ways. Let’s break down the top 5 ways diabetes affects the eyes and the symptoms you may experience.
Blurred Vision
Diabetes may cause blurred vision or poor eyesight through crystalline lens changes, diabetic macular edema, and cataract development.
Spots in Your Vision
Another symptom is spots in the vision. Diabetics may see eye floaters of many kinds, but they may especially struggle with what is called a vitreous hemorrhage. This is where blood inside the eye floats within the vitreous.
Diabetic Retinopathy
The first symptom your eye doctor usually notices during a diabetic eye exam is Diabetic Retinopathy (bleeding within the retina). This is recognized as blood vessel changes and bleeding inside the eye.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
This is when new blood vessels grow inside the eye which often break and leak fluid inside the eye.
Retinal Detachment
In cases of extreme diabetic retinopathy and untreated proliferative diabetic retinopathy, fibrovascular scar formation may lead to retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is an eye care emergency. It carries a poor prognosis as it can result in irreparable vision loss and blindness.
Tips & Prevention
The better someone controls their blood sugar, the less chance of developing diabetic eye disease and other systemic complications. Diet, exercise, and/or medication can help with this.
If diagnosed with diabetes, it is recommended to have a dilated eye examination at least every year, but go in sooner or more frequently if your doctor recommends.
I always strongly encourage heart healthy lifestyle changes for people struggling with diabetes. Here are some videos by other fantastic doctors and researchers discussing lifestyle changes and science behind diabetes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vI_ptfl-eQ&list=PLzi60fSuOmPDHAm19V_2mACIi4CQ4SNpS&t=0s
Disclaimer: This information is not meant for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should follow up with your local healthcare provider regarding all matters related to your health.