How Diabetes Affects Vision: The Connection Between Blood Sugar and Eye Health
Diabetes can impact many parts of the body, including the eyes. If left untreated, consistently high blood sugar can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. Learn how blood sugar impacts the eye, eye conditions associated with diabetes, and how to prevent disease progression and protect your sight.
How Blood Sugar Impacts the Eye
Diabetes impacts the eyes when blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. In the short term, you’re not likely to experience vision loss. However, if blood sugar remains consistently high over time, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina. The retina is a thin layer of tissue located at the back of the eye that contains photoreceptor cells known as rods and cones, which are responsible for converting light into electrical signals for the brain to interpret.
Damaged blood vessels may leak fluid and cause swelling. New, weak blood vessels may also grow. These blood vessels may bleed into the eye, cause scarring, or lead to dangerously high pressure inside the eye.
Diabetic Eye Conditions
The four eye main diabetic eye diseases that can threaten your vision include:
Diabetic Retinopathy
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. It occurs when high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina, resulting in blurred vision.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetes can lead to swelling in the macula, the part of the retina needed for reading, driving, and seeing faces. Over time, diabetic macular edema can destroy the sharp vision in this part of the eye, leading to partial vision loss or blindness. It usually develops in individuals who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that can harm the optic nerve, the bundle of nerves connecting the eye to the brain. Individuals with diabetes face an increased risk of developing glaucoma. If not treated early, this condition can result in vision loss and even blindness.
Cataracts
The lenses in our eyes are responsible for sharp vision, but they can become cloudy as we age. Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cloudy lenses, known as cataracts. Furthermore, people with diabetes may experience cataracts at an earlier age compared to those without the condition.
Preventing or Delaying Eye Diseases
The best way to prevent diabetic eye conditions or delay disease progression is to properly manage blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through a well-balanced diet and regular physical activity. Additionally, getting a dilated eye exam once a year is crucial. The earlier diabetic eye disease is detected and treated, the better your vision outcomes will be.
Schedule an Appointment with a Retina Specialist
High blood sugar resulting from diabetes can negatively affect vision, leading to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. If you have diabetes, it’s important to see a retina specialist to catch signs of diabetic eye disease as early as possible. At Palmetto Retina Center, our retina specialists can effectively diagnose and treat conditions like diabetic retinopathy in patients throughout South Carolina, including Columbia, Orangeburg, Sumter, Florence, and Aiken. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.