Diabetes happens if your blood sugar is too high. While it has no cure, there are various measures you can take to manage the disease — one of which is seeing your eye doctor regularly. That’s because elevated blood glucose can damage your eyes and vision.
Keep reading to learn how diabetes can cause vision loss.
When you notice changes in your vision, it doesn’t always mean that you need new eyeglasses. High blood sugar can cause the lens to swell, affecting how clearly you see. Bringing your blood sugar back to a healthy level can help improve your vision. However, it can sometimes take up to three months for your vision to become completely normal. Let your eye care provider know if you experience blurry vision because it could be a symptom of another eye condition.
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss. This eye condition can damage blood vessels and nerves in your eyes. It doesn’t often show signs in its early stages. By the time you become aware that your vision has changed, the condition has likely already progressed. Fortunately, regular comprehensive eye exams can help with early detection and treatment.
The retina is the part of the eye that receives light and covers images that the optic nerve delivers to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy occurs due to damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Failure to detect and treat it in its early stages can result in permanent vision loss. Good blood sugar management aids in lowering the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
Any person can get cataracts, but you are more likely to have them if you have diabetes. This eye condition causes the lens of the eye to get cloudy. When this happens, it will be difficult for your eyes to focus, resulting in blurred vision and glare. Cataracts can be surgically removed, which involves replacing the affected lens with an artificial one.
Regular visits to an optometrist can help with the early detection and treatment of these eye conditions. Joel H. McGahen OD has the experience and equipment for diagnosing and treating various eye diseases. Call us at (717) 264-4012 to schedule an appointment. We assist patients in Chambersburg, PA, and nearby areas.