How Diabetes Poses a Threat to Eyesight

Millions of people around the world have diabetes, either Type I or Type II. Those same millions of people are living with the threat of damage to their eyesight, due to the underlying disease of diabetes. It doesn’t matter whether a person has one type or the other; the risk is the same. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, you should be seen by an optometrist in Champaign, IL for a comprehensive eye exam. During this appointment, the eye doctor will determine if your eyes are damaged or on the cusp of being damaged.

Diabetic Retinopathy

There is such a thing as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that damages the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When blood sugar levels are consistently high, these vessels can swell, leak or even close off, leading to vision problems that will almost certainly impact the way you’re able to live your life.

Diabetic Macular Edema, Cataracts and Glaucoma

That’s not all. Another condition associated with diabetes is diabetic macular edema, where fluid builds up in the central part of the retina (called the macula), further impairing vision. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for cataracts and glaucoma, both of which can damage vision. Glaucoma often has no outward symptoms, so this one in particular is one to be wary of.

Managing Diabetes

You don’t have to suffer vision loss on account of your diabetes. It’s manageable if you follow your primary physician’s orders, and check in regularly with your optometrist in Champaign, IL for comprehensive eye exams. If you have any questions about how diabetes affects your vision, please don’t hesitate to ask. In the meantime, contact us today to book your next appointment.