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What does diabetes and pre-diabetes have to do with our eyes and vision? Actually, they have a lot to do with them.
Unfortunately, the effects of diabetes and pre-diabetes on our eyes and vision are not as commonly known or discussed as many of the other effects of diabetes, such as diabetic neuropathy or diabetic foot pain. |
That doesn’t change the facts that diabetes can have serious consequences that can affect our eye health and vision to the point of blindness or that changes and damage can start to occur even during pre-diabetes though.
A diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes raises a serious concern for our eyes and vision. As such, we are taking the time to explore, educate, and create awareness of the effects of diabetes on our eyes and vision. Whether you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or know someone who does, we hope you will take the time to learn about diabetic eye disease and share this information with family, friends, and those in need.
Let’s get started.
In order to understand the relationship between diabetes, pre-diabetes, eyes, and vision, we must first understand diabetes and pre-diabetes.
A diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes raises a serious concern for our eyes and vision. As such, we are taking the time to explore, educate, and create awareness of the effects of diabetes on our eyes and vision. Whether you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or know someone who does, we hope you will take the time to learn about diabetic eye disease and share this information with family, friends, and those in need.
Let’s get started.
In order to understand the relationship between diabetes, pre-diabetes, eyes, and vision, we must first understand diabetes and pre-diabetes.
What Are Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that impairs our body’s ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, effectively to control blood sugar or glucose. Insulin allows our body to use glucose for energy or store it for future use and prevents our blood sugar from getting too high or too low. When diabetes is undetected, untreated, or unmanaged, blood sugar is elevated, which can cause damage to many parts of the body, including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes.
Pre-diabetes is a related condition in which a person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Because blood sugar levels are still elevated in pre-diabetes, damage to bodily systems, including the eyes, can begin during this stage. As such, it is vital that diabetes or pre-diabetes is discovered, treated, and managed as early as possible, to minimize the impact on the body.
Millions of Americans live with diabetes, and a significant percent of those with diabetes have not yet been diagnosed. Even more people live with pre-diabetes. As the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and a significant cause of morbidity (associated diseases, disability, and poor health), being aware of, learning about, and knowing your risk factors for diabetes is vital. To learn more, visit the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
Now that we’ve learned a bit about diabetes and pre-diabetes, let’s look at their impact on our eyes.
Pre-diabetes is a related condition in which a person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Because blood sugar levels are still elevated in pre-diabetes, damage to bodily systems, including the eyes, can begin during this stage. As such, it is vital that diabetes or pre-diabetes is discovered, treated, and managed as early as possible, to minimize the impact on the body.
Millions of Americans live with diabetes, and a significant percent of those with diabetes have not yet been diagnosed. Even more people live with pre-diabetes. As the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and a significant cause of morbidity (associated diseases, disability, and poor health), being aware of, learning about, and knowing your risk factors for diabetes is vital. To learn more, visit the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
Now that we’ve learned a bit about diabetes and pre-diabetes, let’s look at their impact on our eyes.
How Do Diabetes and Pre-diabetes Affect Our Eyes?
As we’ve already discussed, diabetes and pre-diabetes can affect our blood vessels or vascular system. Our eyes have tiny blood vessels that supply them with much needed nutrients. The retina, the light sensitive area in the back of our eye, has a particularly rich vasculature. Diabetes and even pre-diabetes can cause these blood vessels in the retina to swell, leak, or close off completely. In some cases, abnormal new blood vessels may form on the surface of the retina. These changes to the blood supply of the retina caused by diabetes are called diabetic retinopathy. We’ll explore diabetic retinopathy in detail in a later post on diabetic eye disease.
People with diabetes are also at increased risk for glaucoma and cataracts. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage of the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss. Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye that leads to blurring of vision. Again, we’ll take a look at these two eye diseases as they relate to diabetes in a later post.
For now, let’s look at vision changes associated with diabetes.
People with diabetes are also at increased risk for glaucoma and cataracts. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage of the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss. Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye that leads to blurring of vision. Again, we’ll take a look at these two eye diseases as they relate to diabetes in a later post.
For now, let’s look at vision changes associated with diabetes.
Vision Changes Associated with Diabetes
Temporary Vision Changes
Temporary vision changes can occur in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes, even if retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts are not present. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “If your blood sugar levels change quickly, it can affect the shape of your eye’s lens, causing blurry vision, which goes back to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes.” While these changes in vision may be temporary, any changes in vision can be a cause for concern in people living with diabetes. In our post on Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy, we’ll discuss when to see or call your ophthalmologist.
Permanent Vision Changes
Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts can all lead to permanent changes. As such, it is critical for anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes to have annual eye exams, regardless of whether there are any changes in vision. Again, we’ll address this topic more in coming blog posts.
Temporary vision changes can occur in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes, even if retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts are not present. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “If your blood sugar levels change quickly, it can affect the shape of your eye’s lens, causing blurry vision, which goes back to normal after your blood sugar stabilizes.” While these changes in vision may be temporary, any changes in vision can be a cause for concern in people living with diabetes. In our post on Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy, we’ll discuss when to see or call your ophthalmologist.
Permanent Vision Changes
Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts can all lead to permanent changes. As such, it is critical for anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes to have annual eye exams, regardless of whether there are any changes in vision. Again, we’ll address this topic more in coming blog posts.
Vision Loss Caused by Diabetes
The simple truth is that diabetic eye disease can lead to severe vision loss and even blindness. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 90 percent of diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented, but early detection is key. People with diabetes should get critical, annual eye exams even before they have signs of vision loss. However, studies show that sixty percent of diabetics are not getting the exams their doctors recommend.” This is a serious concern to ophthalmologists and should be for people affected by diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Just knowing that diabetes can lead to temporary and permanent changes in vision, including severe vision loss and blindness is not enough. In the following posts, we address important topics to know about diabetic eye disease, including:
- What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
- 8 Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms & When to See an Ophthalmologist
- Who Is at Risk of Diabetic Eye Disease and Diabetic Retinopathy?
- How Can Diabetic Eye Disease Be Prevented or Controlled?
Please stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts on diabetic eye disease. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about your eye health or feel that you need to see an ophthalmologist, please contact our office at 508-746-8600 so that we may assist you.
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