The Impact of Diabetes on Vision
Seventy-nine million people living in the USA are at risk for diabetes. There are 26 million people diagnosed with diabetes, including a staggering 7 million people who are diabetic but do not know they have the disease.
Many people associate diabetes with health problems like heart disease and stroke, but the disease can also contribute to vision problems and even lead to complete vision loss.
Annual eye exams can detect diabetes early, allowing medical experts to keep your eyes healthy for as long as possible. Discover the connections between diabetes and vision to maintain your eye health.
The Science Behind Diabetes
The pancreas, which breaks down food in the small intestine, is directly affected by diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin and sends it to the bloodstream, where it regulates blood sugar levels. Diabetes slows or even stops this creation of insulin. The dramatic decrease in blood sugar and insulin levels throughout the whole body can lead to other health complications.
5 Diabetes-Related Vision Conditions
As diabetes affects the pancreas, it also plays a significant role in eye health. Diabetes can be a contributor to several other major vision conditions.
1. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy leads to changes in the blood vessels of the retina. These blood vessels may swell and leak fluid, causing vision to fluctuate. If left untreated, this condition can lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels and possibly permanent blindness.
2. Blurred Vision or Double Vision
Can high blood sugar cause double vision? Yes, it can! Both high blood sugar and low blood sugar levels can lead to temporary blurred vision or double vision. This can happen after something as simple as eating a high-carbohydrate meal or something as serious as diabetes. Frequent high blood sugar spikes can change the shape of the eye’s lens, which can cause more vision problems.
Blurred vision can be cured or prevented by managing blood sugar levels.
3. Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Diabetic macular edema is a disease that occurs as diabetic retinopathy progresses into a more serious stage. With this disease, the back of the eye (the macula) swells with fluid and distorts vision.
Patients with DME may struggle with activities that require looking straight ahead, like driving and reading.
This disease can be treated with injections that block the blood vessels from swelling, and by controlling blood sugar levels.
4. Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the most well-known vision problems commonly occurring in people with diabetes. Cataracts occur when a protein in the eye lens lumps together, causing cloudy vision.
Unfortunately, cataracts are not reversible, but patients can get relief from the symptoms by wearing stronger prescription glasses or sunglasses. In extreme cases, patients can also undergo surgery to replace the clouded eye lens with an artificial one.
5. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease where pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. Untreated glaucoma can lead to blindness in the peripheral vision, followed by complete blindness later on.
Glaucoma must be detected early on to ensure proper treatment and prevention of blindness.
What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?
When someone finds out they have diabetes or even suspects they’re developing the disease, they should immediately schedule a diabetic eye exam. These symptoms can include:
- Blacks spots
- Flashes of light
- Blurred vision
In any of these cases, it’s better to be cautious and schedule an appointment.
Can an Eye Exam Detect Diabetes?
Yes! Believe it or not, the eye is the 'window to the body,' and an annual eye examination can uncover conditions like diabetes, and others that are only detectable via the eye examination.
This is one of the main reasons diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in American working adults. Many people think their vision is fine and don’t get issues checked until it’s too late. Keep in mind, the value of the eye exam is more than just a pair of glasses. It is a preventative wellness check for the entire body to ensure clear and healthy vision throughout your lifetime.
If you have diabetes, having an annual eye exam is essential in preserving your sight. Eye doctors can diagnose retinal changes associated with the progression of the disease. They can also change medical or glasses prescriptions to help you see better.
In most cases, your eye doctor will work with a primary care physician to help patients maintain a healthy sugar level and preserve vision.
Does Visionworks Do Diabetic Eye Exams?
Yes. If you have diabetes or are likely to develop it, an eye doctor can specifically look for vision issues caused by diabetes. They’ll look for the five diseases we mentioned above, paying special attention to markers and little hints your body gives.
In a diabetic eye exam, the eye doctor will:
- Go over your health, vision, and family diabetic history.
- Perform visual acuity tests.
- Examine your pupils while your eyes are dilated.
- Check your eye motility.
- Measure the pressure of your eye.
- Perform a slit lamp examination.
- Check the structures around your eye, like eyelids and tear ducts.
- Use special tools to look through your eyes to see the structures at the back.
All of these tests and exams will help eye doctors spot the early signs of diabetes or prevent existing diabetes from quickly degrading visual abilities.
Make an Appointment with Visionworks Today
Clearly, many serious visual problems can occur in patients with diabetes. Annual eye exams can help find these problems in the earliest stages so they can receive proper treatment. Essentially, a regular eye exam could save your vision!
Even if you have had an eye exam recently, if you have diabetes or are experiencing vision problems, it may be time to go in for another visit. If you haven’t had an eye exam in the past year, schedule an appointment with Visionworks today. You can make sure your eyes stay healthy and find the best pair of glasses for your personal style.
You’ll never regret playing it safe with regular comprehensive eye exams.
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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