Diabetes is a Big Risk Factor for Vision Loss

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin effectively to control blood sugar levels. Although glucose is an important source of energy for the body’s cells, too much glucose in the blood for a long time can cause damage in many parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys, major blood vessels as well as the small blood vessels in the eyes.

When the blood vessels in the eye’s retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye) swell, leak or close off completely—or if abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina—it is called diabetic retinopathy.

People who are at greater risk of developing diabetic retinopathy are those who have diabetes and poor blood sugar control, women who are pregnant, and people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or both.  Also people who are from certain ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy. A new study recently confirmed that diabetes is a top risk factor for vision loss among Hispanics.

Diabetes can cause vision in your eyes to change even if you do not have retinopathy. If your blood sugar levels change quickly, it can affect the shape of your eye’s lens and can eventually cause cataracts.  The blurriness will typically disappear when your blood sugar stabilizes. Maintaining good control of your blood sugar helps reduce episodes of blurry vision.

It is best to visit your ophthalmologist to learn more about diabetic retinopathy and how to save your sight.