How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes & Vision
Dr. Anthony Roberts is an ophthalmologist practicing in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Roberts specializes in eye and vision care. As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Roberts can practice medicine as well as surgery. Opthalmologists can perform surgeries because they have their medical degrees along with at least eight years of additional... more
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing eye problems. If left untreated, these complications can lead to poor vision and even blindness. The good news is that more than 95% of vision loss due to diabetes can be eliminated through regular eye examinations and early treatment of any disorders or complications.
Keep an eye on blood glucose levels
High glucose levels can cause changes in the shape of the lens, which can cause temporary blurring of vision. This typically occurs before a diabetes diagnosis or when diabetes isn’t being well managed. The blurriness normally disappears when blood glucose levels are brought to the right levels through care and proper diabetes treatment. Remember: if you need new glasses, wait until blood glucose levels are back within the recommended range.
Keeping blood glucose at higher-than-recommended levels for long periods of time can up the risk of more serious eye problems in people with diabetes, including:
Be sure to have an eye examination by an eye care professional when you are first diagnosed with diabetes and then at least every 2 years (or more if your doctor says so). Many people with diabetes aren’t aware of changes in their vision until the condition becomes serious, so it’s very important to keep up with regular eye exams, ensuring eye problems can be detected early and treated quickly.
