Living with high blood sugar levels or diabetes can affect your body in numerous ways—but did you know your eyes are particularly vulnerable? Many don’t realize the critical link between high blood sugar and eye health. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy can develop or worsen due to uncontrolled blood sugar.

At Low Vision Provider, we help patients in safeguard their vision by providing education and comprehensive eye care.

Here’s a closer look at how diabetes affects vision and what steps you can take to protect your eyes.

How High Blood Sugar Affect Your Eyes

When blood sugar levels remain elevated for extended periods, it can damage various parts of the body, including the delicate blood vessels in your eyes. This can cause:

1. Swelling in the Lenses: High blood sugar levels can cause the lens in your eye to swell, leading to blurred vision. While this may temporarily improve as sugar levels stabilize, frequent fluctuations can contribute to more permanent issues.
2. Poor Circulation: Elevated glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye), impairing blood flow. This is a crucial contributor to diabetic retinopathy.
3. Oxidative Stress: High blood sugar increases oxidative stress, damaging cells and accelerating the development of age-related conditions like cataracts and glaucoma.

Eye Conditions Linked to High Blood Sugar

Understanding the connection between diabetes and eye health can help you take proactive steps to preserve your vision. Here are some common eye problems associated with high blood sugar:

1. Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes. High blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels, causing them to leak, swell, or grow abnormally. In advanced stages, it can lead to vision loss or blindness. Early symptoms are often mild or nonexistent, so routine eye exams are vital.
2. Cataracts: Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, leading to blurred or dim vision. While cataracts are common as people age, individuals with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of developing them earlier.
3. Glaucoma: High blood sugar can also increase your risk of glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve. The most common form, open-angle glaucoma, is often asymptomatic in its early stages, making regular checkups critical for detection and management.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Routine eye exams are essential for individuals with high blood sugar or diabetes. These exams allow optometrists to detect early signs of complications before they significantly impact your vision.

At Low Vision Provider, we use advanced diagnostic tools to monitor the health of your retina, optic nerve, and other eye structures.

What to Expect During a Diabetes Eye Exam

• Dilated Eye Exam: This allows your optometrist to get a clear view of the back of your eye
• Imaging Tests: Digital retinal imaging or optical coherence tomography (OCT) can detect subtle changes in the retina
• Visual Acuity and Pressure Tests: These assess your overall vision and check for signs of glaucoma

Protecting Your Vision with Healthy Habits

While regular eye exams are crucial, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is equally important for protecting your vision. Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy:

• Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: Work with your healthcare provider to maintain target levels
• Adopt a Balanced Diet: Include plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while minimizing sugary and processed foods
• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps regulate blood sugar and promotes overall eye health
• Quit Smoking: Smoking worsens circulation and increases the risk of diabetic eye diseases
• Manage Other Health Conditions: Control high blood pressure and cholesterol, as they can compound eye problems

Take Charge of Your Eye Health

If you’re living with diabetes or managing high blood sugar, your eyes need extra care. The good news is that we can effectively treat many diabetes-related eye problems if detected early.

At Low Vision Provider, we’re here to help patients in stay proactive with their eye health. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam and take a step toward protecting your vision for years to come.

Contact us now to book your appointment or learn more about diabetes eye health.