Health

Prevent Diabetes-Related Eye Problems

If you or someone close to you has diabetes, you probably know how important it is to see you doctor regularly and keep track of your blood sugar levels. But you also need to know that regular visits to your eye doctor are important for preventing potentially serious eye problems that sometimes occur with diabetes.

“A significant number of people have diabetes before they even realize it,” says UAB optometrist Mark Swanson, OD. “In at least 1/3 of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, changes have already occurred in the eye as a result of the disease.”

Prolonged high blood sugar increases the risk of diabetes-related eye problems – often with serious consequences. “Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults under the age of 75,” explains Dr. Swanson.

How Can Diabetes Affect Your Eyes?

“The most common eye problem for older adults with diabetes results from fluid leaking into the macula, which is located in the back of the eye,” Dr. Swanson explains. “As a result, vision for reading and driving can become blurry.” Treatments for this condition may include medication, laser procedures, or surgery. “If you’re a diabetic, you should see your eye doctor right away if you develop blurred vision,” stresses Dr. Swanson.

If blood glucose levels aren’t well managed over a period of time, diabetes can result in total blindness due to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. “Diabetes can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including blood vessels in the back of the eyes,” says Dr. Swanson. “The blood vessels become starved for oxygen, leading to irreversible damage to the eye.”

How Can You Prevent Diabetes-Related Eye Problems?

The good news is there’s a lot you can do to manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of developing serious eye problems. “People can take control of their diabetes by carefully monitoring blood sugar, staying on medication, and exercising regularly,” stresses Dr. Swanson.

Also, older adults with diabetes should see an ophthalmologist or optometrist at least once a year for a comprehensive eye exam.

To make sure blood sugar levels are under control, Dr. Swanson says every older adult with diabetes should know his or her A1C level — a blood test that gives a composite of blood sugar levels over a three-month period. “If the A1C level remains under 7, the risk of eye problems is low,” adds Dr. Swanson.