How to protect your eyes if you have diabetes

Recently been diagnosed with diabetes? You might be surprised to learn that people with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems. “Many people don’t realize it, but diabetes affects the whole body, including the eyes,” says Michael Bryan, MD. He’s an endocrinologist in Washington, D.C. 

This is because high blood sugar levels can damage your eyes. It can lead to conditions such as:  

• Blurred vision 
• Glaucoma 
• Diabetic retinopathy 
• Diabetic macular edema 
• Cataracts 

Some eye problems are easy to treat if detected early. But others can cause vision loss — even when there are no symptoms. The good news is that you can help keep your eyes healthy by having an annual dilated eye exam.  

Here are three reasons to book an appointment with your eye doctor today. 

An eye exam can catch diabetic retinopathy early 

Retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels in the retina. This is a layer in the back of the eye that helps you process light. “The damage to the [retina’s] blood vessels is due to elevated levels of blood sugar,” Dr. Bryan says. 

Over time, more than half of people diagnosed with diabetes develop retinopathy. It’s the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. And the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to have the eye condition.  

There are often no symptoms in the early stages. If left untreated, the vessels can leak into the retina. Or new vessels can grow on the retina’s surface.  

For some people, diabetic retinopathy can also cause diabetic macular edema. This is swelling in the macula (the central part of the retina). Symptoms include blurry vision. If it’s not treated, it may lead to vision loss.   

Early detection and treatment of retinopathy are key. This can lower your risk of severe diabetic-related vision loss by 95%. 

Having diabetes raises your glaucoma risk 

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma. This is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve. 

Glaucoma starts with a buildup of fluid in the front of the eye. Diabetes can contribute to that fluid buildup.  

Here’s how: High blood sugar levels can cause new, abnormal blood vessels to grow. When they grow on the front part of the eye, this can block the normal flow of fluid out of the eye. The high pressure of the fluid damages the eye’s optic nerve. Ultimately, it can result in vision loss.  

Most people aren’t aware they even have the condition until they lose some peripheral vision (side vision). Regular eye exams can help catch glaucoma early.    

Your provider can check for cataracts 

A cataract forms when the lens of an eye becomes cloudy. Having diabetes makes you more likely to develop cataracts — and get them at a younger age. Cataracts are more common in older adults, but Dr. Bryan has seen them in patients in their 20s.  

High blood sugar can speed up the growth of a cataract. Once a cataract is there, it may grow. Vision may become duller or blurrier, until surgery is needed. During an eye exam, a provider can catch signs of cataracts early, when it’s easier to slow down their progress or improve symptoms.   

Beyond the eye exam: Other ways to protect your vision 

So you’ve gotten that eye exam on the calendar. Great job. But there are some other steps you can take to protect your vision, says Don Bryan, OD. He’s an optometrist at Innovative Vision and Wellness in Davie, Florida. Here are the eye-healthy steps on his list.  

Control your blood sugar. This is the top thing you need to do if you have diabetes. High blood sugar over time raises the risk of eye problems. 

Keep blood pressure and cholesterol at a healthy level. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels can also increase your risk of eye diseases. Your provider can help you watch your levels during your regular physicals. Be sure to schedule a physical each year.  

Take your medications as directed. Always take the full dose that your doctor prescribes. Ask your provider if you have questions or concerns. They can help with things such as side effects or high costs.  

Stay active. Regular exercise is important. It can have a big impact on blood glucose levels. As always, talk with your doctor before starting a new workout routine. They can help guide you on what kind of exercise to do and how much is right for you.  

Watch what you eat. Eating the right diet is the best way to take control of your diabetes. Need help with carb counting, understanding food labels, or meal planning? Your diabetes care team can help — you can connect with them on your Wellframe app. The app is included with your health plan at no extra cost to you. 

If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases your risk of diabetic eye disease. Why? The chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage the eyes. Smoking can also harm the blood vessels in the retina and cause inflammation. And it could make managing diabetes more difficult.  

That’s partly because the nicotine in cigarettes may make the body more resistant to insulin. This can cause blood sugar levels to rise. For help quitting, join a smoking cessation program through the Wellframe app.  

Article sources:  

Diabetes and vision loss overview: National Eye Health Education Program; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 

Diabetic retinopathy: National Eye Institute 

Diabetes and macular edema: Cleveland Clinic 

Glaucoma: American Diabetes Association 

Cataracts: National Eye Institute 

Smoking and vision: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration