Diabetes is a widespread condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with serious consequences for various aspects of health. One of these areas is the impact diabetes can have on your eyes.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to vision problems and even blindness if left untreated. Understanding the early warning signs of diabetic eye disease and prioritizing regular eye exams are crucial to protecting your vision.
How Diabetes Can Affect Vision
Diabetes affects the eyes through damage to the blood vessels in the retina, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye that sends visual information to the brain. When blood sugar levels remain high, the retina's blood vessels can weaken, leak, or get blockages. This reduces the eye's ability to function correctly.
Other common eye conditions linked to diabetes include:
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Swelling in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision
- Cataracts: This occurs when your eye’s lens becomes cloudy. Cataracts are common but can develop earlier in people with diabetes
- Glaucoma: Increased pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss
If left untreated, these conditions can cause permanent vision loss. This makes it essential for individuals with diabetes to monitor their eye health closely and take proactive measures.
Early Warning Signs of Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye diseases often develop without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, there are several warning signs that you should be aware of. Catching these signs early allows for timely treatment and better outcomes in preserving your vision.
Look out for the following early symptoms:
- Blurry Vision: Changes in blood sugar levels can cause your vision to fluctuate, leading to temporary or ongoing blurriness
- Floaters: Dark spots, strings, or specks that seem to float in your field of vision can be an early sign of damage to the retina
- Difficulty Seeing at Night: Struggling to see clearly in low-light conditions could indicate the onset of diabetic retinopathy or other complications
- Colors Appearing Faded or Washed Out: Diabetes can affect your ability to perceive colors as vividly as before
- Dark or Empty Areas in Vision: If parts of your vision seem missing, this could signal more advanced damage to the retina
If you notice any of these signs, scheduling an eye exam as soon as possible is critical. Even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, individuals with diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year to detect any changes early on.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Routine eye exams are the most effective way to catch diabetic eye conditions before they lead to irreversible damage. During an eye exam, your eye doctor will dilate your pupils to better view your retina. This allows them to check for any signs of diabetic retinopathy or other issues. This painless test can help identify the problem in its early stages, often before noticeable symptoms appear.
In addition to the dilated eye exam, your eye doctor may also use imaging technology like optical coherence tomography (OCT) to get a detailed view of the layers of your retina. This helps them detect swelling, leaking, or abnormal blood vessel growth that may indicate diabetic macular edema or other conditions.
Protect Your Vision—Schedule an Eye Exam
At Ballard Vision Associates, we understand the critical link between diabetes and eye health. If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, don’t wait until you notice symptoms to schedule an exam. Regular eye exams can make the difference between maintaining healthy vision and suffering from preventable vision loss.
Our experienced team is here to provide comprehensive eye care to ensure we catch and treat any diabetic eye conditions promptly. Contact us to schedule your appointment at our Brentwood office and take the first step in protecting your vision.