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The Connection Between Diabetes and Your Eye Health
Posted by: The Eye Center of North Florida in Eye Health, March 20, 2025
Did you know that there are 37.3 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)? Shockingly, about 1 in 5 people with diabetes are unaware that they have it. It’s important to know that diabetes can impact your eye health. High and uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to diabetic retinopathy, which can damage the retina over time. The retina is responsible for detecting light and sending signals to your brain through a nerve in the back of the eye. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s essential to stay informed and take care of your eye health. Share this newsletter with your loved ones who have been diagnosed with diabetes to help them stay informed.
What Are The Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
It’s possible to have diabetic retinopathy without symptoms in the early stages. As the condition progresses, you may experience symptoms such as:
- seeing an increasing number of floaters
- blurry vision
- a vision that sometimes changes from blurry to clear
- seeing dark or blank areas in your field of vision
- poor night vision
- noticing colors appear faded or washed out
- losing vision
Remember, diabetic retinopathy usually impacts both eyes, so regular eye check-ups are not just necessary; they are a proactive step towards maintaining eye health if you have diabetes. These check-ups can provide reassurance and early detection, giving you the power to take control of your eye health.
What Are The Risk Factors?
The good news is that many of the risk factors that worsen diabetes are within our control. By managing these factors, we can significantly reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy.Risk factors that worsen diabetes are identical to those for diabetic retinopathy. Here are a few risk factors and how you can manage them:
- Obesity: Excess fat within the blood and body tissue makes it harder for insulin to regulate blood sugar levels effectively.
- Inactivity: Inactivity results in slow body metabolism, subsequently favoring high blood sugar levels. Regular exercise, even a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, can help manage your blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
- Family history: Plays a significant role in diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Genetic factors affecting the pancreas can cause inadequate insulin production, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels. Understanding your family history can help you better understand your risk factors and knowing that you’re not alone in this can provide a sense of support and connection.
- Age: The pancreas’ ability to produce adequate insulin decreases as a person gets older
- High Blood Pressure: The super-thin blood vessels within the retina rupture easily as a result of the abnormally high blood pressure
What Are The Two Main Stages of Diabetic Eye Disease?
NPDR (Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy)
NPDR is the early stage of diabetic eye disease. Patients who have had diabetes for five years stand a 25% chance of developing non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
With NPDR, tiny blood vessels leak, swelling the retina. When the macula swells, it is called macular edema. NPDR is the most common reason people with diabetes lose their vision.
PDR (Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy)
PDR is a more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease. At this stage, the retina starts growing new blood vessels, which is also called neovascularization. These fragile new vessels bleed into the vitreous. You may also see a few dark floaters if they only bleed slightly.
These new blood vessels can form scar tissue, which can damage the macula or lead to a detached retina.
PDR is very serious and can steal both your central and peripheral (side) vision.
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Go Away?
Your treatment plan will be determined based on the assessment provided by your eye doctor. The following treatment options may include:
- Medication
Medicine could help reduce swelling, slow vision loss, and improve vision. Your eye doctor will recommend the number of injections needed over time.
- Medical Control
Controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar can stop vision loss. Carefully follow the diet recommended by your primary care doctor or nutritionist. Always remember to take the medicine that your doctor prescribed. Maintaining healthy numbers with blood sugar and blood pressure can keep your eyes’ blood vessels healthy.
Check out this video to learn more about diabetic retinopathy.
If you are one in 10 people with diabetes, remember that you can effectively delay the onset of diabetic retinopathy by making healthy lifestyle choices. Your actions matter, and we encourage you to prioritize your eye health. By making these choices, you are taking control of your health and empowering yourself to prevent or manage diabetic retinopathy.
Your healthy eyes are our HIGHEST priority, and we are honored to be your partner in eye health!
