The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that 463 million adults were living with diabetes globally in the year 2019 and projected that this number may rise to 700 million by 2045. With no proven cure, diabetes is one of the most critical health conditions and needs to be maintained throughout one’s life. Otherwise, it may give rise to many health complications including heart diseases and eye disorders. Find here how diabetes can affect your eyes and vision and what you can do to prevent this.

How are diabetes and eye-health related?

Diabetes is a condition when either the body does not produce enough or any insulin at all or it does not respond to the insulin present in the body. In both the cases, blood sugar levels rise in the individual’s body, further affecting many other organs including their eyes. Short-term effects of increased blood glucose levels include blurred vision, however, this may get back to normal with the reduction in glucose levels. In case the glucose levels are not maintained for a longer period of time, the blood vessels behind the patient’s eyes may get damaged, further leading to swelling and blood or fluid leak.

What are the eye conditions related to diabetes?

Diabetes can affect a person’s eyes and vision in multiple ways. The related concerns include:

1. Blurred vision: One of the first and most common signs of progressive diabetes is induced vision impairment. This blurred vision is caused due to the fluid leak into the lens. This makes it difficult for the person to focus while reading or performing other such activities. However, in most cases, the condition improves with the stabilisation in blood sugar levels.

2. Cataract: Cataract is an eye-condition which usually occurs with ageing, however, it may develop at a younger age in people with diabetes. This is because the high blood glucose levels can result in the swelling of the lens and further chain reactions may make the lens more opaque, affecting the vision.

3. Diabetic retinopathy: When the retinal blood vessels bleed or leak fluid due to high blood pressure, scarring and cell loss may occur in the individual’s retina, resulting in diabetic retinopathy. The name of this condition itself signifies how it is related to diabetes.

4. Glaucoma: When the fluid pressure in a person’s eye increases more than the normal levels, it can damage the optic nerve, further leading to vision loss. This condition is known as glaucoma. Though anyone can develop glaucoma, older people with diabetes are at higher risk.

5. Other minor conditions: Individuals with diabetes may experience other mild conditions like pain in the eyes, watery eyes, headaches and/or halos around lights.

What can an individual with diabetes do to maintain their eye health?

• Get regular eye-checkups
• Maintain normal blood sugar levels by following a healthy diet and prescribed-medication
• Limit smoking and alcohol consumption
• Follow a regular fitness routine
• Check and monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels regularly

The Bottom Line

People with diabetes must follow a healthy lifestyle and take proper care to prevent further complications. In case you experience abnormality in vision or any other concern, seek immediate consultation at HJ Hospitals as early detection can help in better management of diabetes-induced eye-related conditions. HJ Hospitals is manned by a team of expert health care providers including dieticians, ophthalmologists, eye surgeons, cardiologists, gynecologists, general medicine practitioners, teeth whitening dentists, ENT specialists and many others who ensure best-in-class treatment facilities and care for the patients.