How Can Diabetes Impair Your Vision?

Glucose and insulin are usually the first things that come to mind when you think about diabetes. But what about your vision?

Diabetes can cause blurred vision in a variety of ways. It may be a small issue that can be remedied by lowering your blood sugar or using eye drops. Sometimes it’s a symptom of something more severe, which you should address with your doctor.

In fact, hazy vision is frequently one of the earliest symptoms of diabetes.

Even though visual problems aren’t always the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of diabetes, one out of every three people aged 40 or older with diabetes has diabetic retinopathy.

What Happens To The Eye?

The eye’s structure is similar to that of a camera. Light flows through the thin front lenses, as if they were camera lenses, until it touches the eye’s back wall. The retina is a very tiny portion of light-sensitive tissue found within this wall.

Diabetes can harm the small blood vessels that supply the retina. Blood vessels can become leaky as a result of the injury, similar to a water pipe having holes in it.

Let’s Talk About The Different Eye Conditions That Can Occur Due To Diabetes.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is defined as a condition in which tiny blood vessels in the eyes leak blood or yellow fluid into the eye. Floaters, fuzzy vision, and distorted vision are common early signs of diabetic retinopathy. 

If improved blood sugar management does not clear up impaired vision or other symptoms, drugs and other treatments may be used to restore eyesight. 

The most effective way to avoid diabetic retinopathy is to keep blood sugar levels under control and to have frequent eye exams to spot the disease early. In diabetics, diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness.

Cataract

Cataracts are another eyesight impairment that is frequently induced by diabetes. Cataracts occur when protein in the eye lens clumps together and causes the lens to become clouded. 

If you’re acquiring cataracts, your eyesight may become fuzzy. Diabetics are more likely than other individuals to get cataracts at an earlier age. 

Cataracts are not entirely a result of diabetes, although diabetics have a considerably increased chance of acquiring cataracts and developing cataracts at a younger age.

Getting anti-glare sunglasses or better prescription glasses can help people with cataracts. Eye surgery to remove the hazy lens and replace it with an artificial lens is the only option to completely eradicate cataracts.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, a condition that destroys the optic nerve, is caused by pressure in the eye. The optic nerve links your eye to your brain. Glaucoma is a disease that can result in blindness. 

Glaucoma is twice as common among diabetics as in the general population. Peripheral vision is frequently the first thing to go if you don’t get vision therapy, followed by your entire sight. 

Glaucoma must be diagnosed early in order to receive effective treatment and avoid blindness.

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

The macula is the portion of the eye that provides you with clear central vision. It is positioned in the middle of the retina.

Macular edema occurs when the macula expands as a result of fluid leakage. Wavy vision and colour shifts are other signs of macular edema.

Diabetic retinopathy causes Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). Both eyes are frequently affected.

Anti-VEGF medications are injected into the eye to treat DME. These medications inhibit a protein that causes blood vessels to expand. These medications are used to decrease eye fluid and restore eyesight.

Blurred vision is frequently caused by high blood sugar or fast variations in blood sugar levels. This is due to the fact that when there is too much sugar and water in the lens, it cannot change form.

Diabetic eye conditions are more likely to develop the longer you have diabetes. However, if you keep your blood sugar under control, you may be able to delay or even avoid it. Regular eye exams are important since you may not notice symptoms until the condition has progressed.