Diabetes and Your Eyes

You may have heard from your doctor or from someone else that diabetes can cause eye problems, this is true but most people with diabetes will have nothing more than minor eye disorders. You can work with your doctor to keep these minor disorders "minor" by monitoring your blood sugars and keeping your blood pressure controlled.

Why is my vision blurry?

High sugars affect the way your eye can focus. If your vision is blurry, check your sugar. If this is a frequent issue, it may indicate that you and your doctor may need to adjust your medication.

Why does Diabetes cause eye problems?

When your blood sugars remain high it can cause damage to the small blood vessels in your body. Many of the blood vessels that supply the eye are very small and easily damaged by high blood sugars. Having high blood pressure and smoking can also damage these small blood vessels.

What eye complications can occur?

• Cataracts- This happens when the eye's lens begins to get cloudy and blocks light entering the eye. People with diabetes are 60% more likely to develop this eye condition.
• Glaucoma-This happens when the pressure inside the eye increases. It can pinch the blood vessels that carry blood to the eye, which will gradually cause damage. People with diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes. This risk also increases with age.
• Diabetic Retinopathy- This is a general term for all disorders of the retina (back of the eye) caused by diabetes. It involves damage to the tiny blood vessels that carry food and oxygen to the eye and can progressively worsen. Most patients have no symptoms until their vision is threatened.

What can I do to prevent these complications?

• Form a good relationship with your healthcare provider.
• Keep track of your blood sugars and let your doctor know when they are high.
• Get a dilated eye exam every year.
• Let your doctor know if you have any changes in your vision. The sooner you let someone know, the better the chances will be of preventing it from getting worse.
• Work with your doctor to keep your blood pressure controlled.
• Take control of your diabetes and don't let it take control of you!

How do I know if my condition is "controlled"?

• If you have diabetes you should be checking your blood sugars just like your doctor told you. You have goals that let you know if they are controlled.
  • Before meals your blood sugars should be 80-120.
  • 2 hours after meals they should be less than 140
  • Your doctor may have also told you you're A1C. This is like your batting average. It tells what your blood sugars are like but averages them out over about 3 months. This number should be less than 7%.
• If you have diabetes you also have a goal for your blood pressure. It should be less than 130/80 unless you have another condition and your doctor has told you that it should be lower.

So remember to check you blood sugar, your blood pressure, and let your doctor know if you have any vision changes.