2e. Eye Disease

Eye disease is another complication of diabetes. Just like with nerve damage, alcohol use can make controlling blood sugar levels more difficult for diabetics. Diabetes itself can cause damage to the eyes, even leading to vision loss or blindness.

 

Use the image below to learn about each type of eye disease and its symptoms.

Diabetic reinopathy
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A common eye disease, diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels in the eye’s retina are damaged due to high blood sugar. If not treated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to: blurry vision, spots or dark shapes in vision, trouble seeing colors, dark or empty space in vision, loss of vision and cataracts
Cataracts
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Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s lens. While cataracts are normal as we get older, patients with diabetes can also develop them. High blood sugar causes the buildup of deposits in the lenses, making them cloudy. While cataracts may not be deadly, they can affect one’s daily life and may be treated with surgery.
Cataracts
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Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by the build-up of pressure within the eye. With glaucoma, vision loss happens very slowly as the optic nerve is damaged. While researchers don't fully understand the connection between glaucoma and diabetes, studies have shown that diabetics are twice as likely to develop glaucoma compared to non-diabetics. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, yet treatment can stop it from becoming worse over time.

Preventing Eye Disease

There are ways you can prevent, or delay, eye disease. Use the flip cards below to learn more.

Get a yearly dilated eye exam

Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in their target range

Do not smoke

Stay physically active

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