Diabetes doesn’t only change the way your body produces insulin. It also increases your need to see an eye doctor for routine care. The condition affects blood vessels throughout the body, including those that impact your sight. Learn more below about some of the condition’s related eye diseases and vision symptoms. 

Top Vision Impacts From Diabetes  

1. Blurry Vision

Uncontrolled blood glucose can cause a host of complications, including swelling of the lens. If your glucose is too high, this swelling may cause your eyesight to appear fuzzy or hazy, even if you’re wearing contacts or glasses. Changes may occur slowly until you can no longer make out words or faces. Vision should return to normal when sugar levels stabilize. 

2. Diabetic Retinopathy 

Patients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which the retina is damaged due to blocked blood vessels. In addition to being uncomfortable, you may notice dark spots or have problems seeing colors as vividly. You may also have trouble driving or watching television. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to see an eye doctor. If left untreated, you could suffer permanent damage to your retina.

3. Dizziness 

People with diabetes can become disoriented due to abnormal blood sugar levels or dehydration. They could also be dizzy because of a vision problem. Blurry eyes make the brain feel off balance, which leads to symptoms similar to vertigo. Attempts to focus the eyes while suffering from poor eye health can also make a patient woozy or light-headed. 

4. Glaucoma 

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, people with diabetes are twice as likely as non-diabetics to develop glaucoma. Blood vessel damage and the development of abnormal blood vessels leads to specific illnesses such as open-angle glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma. Eye doctors may recommend laser eye surgery to remove unnecessary capillaries on the surface of the retina and iris.

If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your appointments with your eye care specialist. The ophthalmologists at TriState Centers for Sight in the Greater Cincinnati Area and Northern Kentucky have been keeping diabetics’ vision healthy by providing them with condition-focused care and personalized eye exams for over 25 years. They provide personalized eye care for everything from headaches to corneal diseases to LASIK surgery. To make an appointment with a skilled eye doctor, locate the office nearest you by visiting them online or by calling (859) 331-6616.