Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to diabetic eye disease. Diabetes can lead to a variety of issues with your eyes if you do not manage your diabetes.

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye issues that potentially affect individuals who have diabetes. The conditions included in this group of disorders include cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and glaucoma. You are at risk of developing any of these conditions if you do not work to manage your glucose levels.

People with diabetes are at least twice as likely as other people to have an eye condition, including narrow angle glaucoma, the most common type that affects people who have diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the retina. It can lead to vision loss, blank vision, or blindness.

Macular edema is a buildup of fluid in the macula, in the center of the retina. It is primarily caused by diabetic retinopathy. Cataracts is another eye condition that often affects individuals who have diabetes, and can lead to vision loss.

Diabetes can cause vision loss and eventual blindness, especially when blood glucose is not controlled. Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. If you have an eye condition, you may need more frequent eye exams.

People with diabetes are at risk of diseases associated with blood sugar and the eyes. Diabetic eye disease includes diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic macular edema.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes causes damage to blood vessels in the retina. There are no early symptoms, which gives the disease a chance to progress before the diagnosis. Blood vessels weaken, swell, and leak into the retina. They can close, affecting blood flow. New vessels sometimes develop, causing further damage.

Symptoms include blurred vision, poor night vision, floaters, blank or dark areas within your field of vision. Diabetic retinopathy may lead to blindness.

Cataracts

Diabetes makes you up to five times more likely to develop cataracts, and at a younger age, compared to other people.

Cataracts cause a clouding of the lens of the eye. The vision becomes hazy, cloudy, or blurry, possibly as high blood sugar causes deposits to build in the lens.

Glaucoma

You are twice as likely to develop glaucoma if you have diabetes.

It affects your peripheral, or side vision, and may cause eye pain and blind spots.

Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema occurs with swelling in the macula. The macula is the part of your retina used when seeing someone’s face, reading, or driving a vehicle.

It is common among diabetics with diabetic retinopathy and may lead to partial or total blindness.

Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

Treating diabetic eye disease includes an individualized treatment plan, based on your health, the disease, and its progression. Follow your care plan and control your blood sugar to maintain your eye health.