Diabetes is quite a complex subject because there are various types and various causes. There are also various consequences and eye damage is one of them. But how exactly does this happen? Let’s look at what diabetes is, as simply as possible.
There are Type 1 and Type 2, which can affect the general population, plus other variants that apply to pregnant women and one called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). But the object here is not to become a diabetes expert; we are looking at potential impact on vision. All the same, here is a bit of background.
Diabetes is a medical condition caused by a lack of insulin in the body. Insulin is a natural hormone which everybody should have. Unfortunately, some people don’t produce enough of it and what they do produce is not of a good standard for the job it has to do. Other people don’t produce it at all.
What insulin does is control how the body processes glucose. We need glucose for energy, but it has to be regulated. If it is not, it can lead to high blood pressure and damage to blood vessels and in turn the eyes, which rely heavily on blood vessels.
If the retina, for instance, can’t get the blood supply it needs, we’ve got an issue called diabetic retinopathy. High glucose levels also contribute to glaucoma and cataracts.
How can I Tell if I Have Diabetes?
There are various symptoms, ranging from excessive thirst to frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, tingling, pain or numbness in the hands and feet, to blurred vision.
Yes, the eyes are on the list. But this should not be a situation where we imagine symptoms and diagnose ourselves with a certain ailment. If you suspect you may have diabetes and it is affecting your eyes, get yourself checked out by a doctor and optometrist.
What to do if you Have a Diabetes-Related Vision Issue
Adopting a healthier lifestyle is the overriding requirement when dealing with diabetes and its effect on vision. That means eating a healthy diet that promotes lower blood sugar, and also stopping smoking, if you are currently doing that. Get plenty of exercise and fresh air, eat healthily and generally respect your body: these are the guidelines for healthy living, and they apply to the eyes too.
If your doctor diagnoses diabetes, or even pre-diabetes, where your blood glucose level is higher than it should be but not quite at diabetes level, you should implement these lifestyle changes immediately. If you and your doctor feel your eyesight is deteriorating and diabetes could be the cause, you should see an optometrist to get a full picture of what is happening and how the condition can be managed.
If you are prediabetic but you feel your vision is suffering anyway, your optometrist will give you a realistic idea of where you stand and what you should do. At Microprism Vision, we can do exactly that. Book a vision test with our team today.