7 Vision Changes People with Type 2 Diabetes Need to Look Out For

Diabetes-related vision problems can happen at any age and can go unnoticed if you don’t get your eyes checked regularly.

I sat patiently as the technician administered eye drops to both eyes. She said the doctor would check on me after my eyes had dilated.

Twenty minutes. That’s about how long it takes for your pupils to dilate after having drops put in them. Those 20 minutes can sometimes seem like an eternity, and it’s also when I’m the most anxious.

“Will this be the year?” I ask myself.

As someone living with type 2 diabetes for 20 years, my yearly eye appointment is the visit that often concerns me the most. I wonder, will this be the year that I develop complications from diabetes-related eye disease?

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What’s diabetes-related eye disease?

If you’re new to life with type 2 diabetes or have had it for years but haven’t thought about your eye health, you’ll be surprised to know that diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults ages 20–74, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Diabetes-related vision problems can occur at any age and can often go unnoticed if you don’t get your eyes checked regularly. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists these common diabetes-related eye conditions and how they affect the eyes:

• Diabetic retinopathy: High blood sugar causes blood vessels in the eye to swell and leak, causing blurred or blocked vision.
• Cataracts: A cataract clouds the lens of the eyes, causing your vision to be blurry.
• Glaucoma: Fluid buildup in the front part of the eye that damages the optic nerve over time.
• Dry eye: This condition happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated.
• Diabetic macular edema: Occurs when fluids build up under the retina in the eye.

These eye diseases can occur slowly over time and affect everyone. Still, if you have diabetes, you should be especially mindful if you notice any of the following symptoms.

7 vision changes to look out for

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but the NIH reports these as the most common signs of diabetes-related eye conditions that you should watch out for and discuss with your doctor during your next visit:

1. blurry vision
2. difficulty seeing at night
3. eye floaters
4. dry or gritty eyes
5. light sensitivities
6. tunnel-like vision
7. difficulty reading or seeing fine print

How can I keep my eyes healthy if I have diabetes?

Diabetes management is key to a long and well-lived life.

Regular exercise, eating a moderate and well-balanced diet, and getting regular checkups to prevent complications are all part of managing diabetes and keeping your eyes healthy.

That means regularly checking your A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, and quitting smoking if possible.

What are treatments for diabetes-related eye disease?

Good news! When caught early, diabetes-related eye disease is treatable. Medical advancements continue to improve detection and procedures to fix or repair vision loss improve yearly. Treatments listed by the CDC include:

• Cataract surgery: Those who develop cataracts can have surgery to remove the damaged lens and receive artificial lenses, which typically restore vision to prediabetes levels.
• Laser surgery: The laser creates tiny burns within the eyes, which helps treat leaky blood vessels caused by diabetic macular edema.
• Vitrectomy: In this procedure, a healthcare professional pumps a solution into the eye to maintain pressure while removing excess vitreous gel from the center of the eye. This treatment helps prevent further damage to the retina and remove scar tissue, which can lead to blindness.
• Medication: Some medications block the growth of atypical blood vessels in the eye, while other drugs can mimic or increase tear production, a process lost to those living with dry eyes.

Takeaway

“There are no signs of anything,” my doctor said. Your cataracts have grown, but not to the point we need to do anything. Just keep doing what you’re doing, but try to work on your A1c. And we’ll see you next year.”

Living with a chronic condition like diabetes has helped me be more aware of all aspects of my life. I try to eat well, get enough activity, and not let stress get to me. I do the best I can every day. It’s all about consistency.