Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes & Your Child's Vision | Diabetic Eye Disease Month

When your child receives a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, it’s devastating. Although it comes with a lifetime of management, thankfully, type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition, and your son or daughter can grow to old age if managed properly. While many systems in the body can be affected by diabetes, it’s important to know how diabetes can affect your child’s eyes and the risks to his or her vision.
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Children with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing vision problems, including those that can lead to blindness. With proper education, diabetes management, and regular eye exams, you can help protect your child’s eyes when they’re young, as well as get them into a routine of healthy eye habits for life.
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How Diabetes Affects Your Child's Eyes

The age of onset of type 1 diabetes varies, but many cases of type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in young children and teens. Over time, high blood sugar caused by diabetes affects the blood vessels in the eyes, including those of children. The damaged vessels may start to leak blood, which can damage the retina (the think nerve layer at the back of the eye that transmits images to the brain) and eventually the macula (the center of the retina responsible for fine, detailed vision) and vitreous (the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina). These changes can cause permanent damage and even lead to vision loss.
 
It’s not just type 1 diabetes that can affect children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more children and teens are developing type 2 diabetes than ever before. Signs of type 2 diabetes in children include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and blurry vision.
 
Whether type 1 or type 2 diabetes, because some kids develop diabetes at an early age, they are at risk of developing eye diseases that typically affect people later in life. For example, children with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts. Although both vision conditions are usually associated with older adults, in people with diabetes, they can occur at a younger age.

Signs of Vision Problems

If your child has been diagnosed with diabetes, one of the most important things you can do for their eye health is to schedule regular eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have an exam by an ophthalmologist no later than five years after diagnosis, and then annually after that. Children who develop type 2 diabetes should start having annual eye exam at the time of diagnosis.
 
The frequency of eye exams may vary based on family history and other risk factors. Your child’s ophthalmologist will let you know when he or she needs to be seen and how frequently. Be sure not to miss any of those exams and reschedule as soon as possible if you can’t keep one. Keeping an eye on your child’s eyes can lead to early detection of any changes and protect his or her vision.
 
If your child develops any signs of a vision problem, whether he or she has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, schedule an exam with the his or her ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your child’s next eye exam to have your child checked out.
 
Sighs of a vision problem in your child may include:

• Seeing floaters or spots
• Blurry vision
• Pain in the eyes
• Trouble reading
• Double vision

• Decrease in side vision

 
Please remember that not all children recognize or can communicate vision problems, depending upon their age. It’s important to talk to your child, as well as observe his or her behavior. If you notice he or she is having trouble focusing or with hand-eye coordination (if old enough), possible signs of vision problems, contact his or her ophthalmologist and get an appointment right away.
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How to Decrease the Risk of Vision Problems

Although it’s terribly upsetting to learn your child has diabetes, it’s empowering to know that there are several things you can do to decrease the chances of your child developing vision problems.
Here are seven ways to help protect your child’s eyes and set him or her up for a lifetime of protecting his or her vision:

1. Educate yourself and your child (if / when old enough): Education can be key to preventing vision problems. If your child has been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s essential to learn as much as possible about the condition. Consider attending a diabetes education program. A diabetes education program can teach you (and your child) proper nutrition, blood sugar management, and medication options. A formal program is also an opportunity for support. To locate a diabetes education program in your area, talk to your child’s pediatrician.
2. Encourage your child to participate in his or her care: Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes is scary for anyone. A child may not understand what it means. Some children may get angry or become anxious. Depending on your child’s age and maturity level, it’s helpful to have him or her take an active role in their diabetes management. For example, teach your child how to recognize signs of high or low glucose. Taking an active role in managing diabetes helps provide your child with a sense of control.
3. Help your child manage his or her blood sugar levels: Learn and teach your child how to monitor his or her blood sugar. Frequent blood sugar monitoring is helpful in establish good blood glucose control. Although it may vary, many kids with diabetes need to check their blood sugar before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Blood sugar may also need to be checked before bedtime. Many modern glucose meters only require a small amount of blood to test sugar levels. They are often simple for children to use.
4. Model healthy eating: A healthy diet is important for children with diabetes. Also, eating meals at regular times is important to keep blood sugar levels steady. By modeling good nutrition, you’ll teach your child healthy eating habits. Plan menus together. Get your child’s input about nutritious foods they want to try. Talk with your child’s doctor or a nutritionist regarding any specific dietary recommendations. If your child has type 2 diabetes and is overweight, a nutritional plan for healthy weight loss is important.
5. Encourage exercise: Exercise is a great way to manage diabetes successfully. Encourage your child to participate in regular exercise with activities such as school sports, bike riding, and swimming. Consider planning family outings together that encourage physical activity. Exercise may be especially beneficial for children with type 2 diabetes who are overweight. Regular exercise may aid in weight loss and manage blood sugar levels.
6. Monitor your child’s stress levels and sleep: Stress and poor sleep can both affect blood sugar levels and your child’s diabetes. Help your child find ways to manage stress and develop good sleeping habits.
7. Schedule regular eye exams for your child: Regular eye exams are an essential part of an overall diabetes management plan for children. Some diabetic eye diseases do not cause symptoms in their early stages. Through regular visits with an ophthalmologist, certain conditions can be diagnosed before symptoms develop. Early identification of diabetic eye disease can decrease the chances of vision loss.

 
By taking the steps above, you can help manage your child’s diabetes, prevent complications, and protect their vision. Please call our office at 508-746-8600 if you have any questions or concerns about diabetes and your child’s eyes or you want to schedule an appointment with our ophthalmologist who specializes in diabetic eye disease and diabetic eye disease in children: 

• Eddie F. Kadrmas, MD, PhD

 
We hope you found Diabetic Eye Disease Month posts valuable. Please check back with us soon for Safe Toys and Gifts Month, as we write about Toys and Eye Injury Prevention for Children and Teens, as well as Winter Eye Safety.