Diabetes affects your entire body, including your eyes. It is important for all patients to know that diabetes can cause severe vision loss and even blindness if it is not managed properly.
All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for developing diabetic eye disease. Diabetic patients should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year to monitor any ocular or visual changes. The longer someone has this disease, the more likely he or she will develop a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in American adults. Retinopathy occurs when tiny blood vessels inside the retina are damaged. If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice changes in your vision, but over time, diabetic retinopathy can progress and cause major visual problems.
Symptoms of diabetic eye disease can include blurry or double vision, rings, flashing lights or blank spots, dark or floating spots, pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes and trouble seeing out of the corners of your eyes. If you have diabetic retinopathy, your doctor can recommend treatment to help prevent its progression.
Our doctors are skilled in treating and managing patients with diabetes. Diabetic patients are watched closely and seen frequently. They are regularly evaluated for signs and symptoms relating to diabetic eye disease. Finding and treating problems early are the keys to preventing visual damage!
To learn more about how diabetes can affect the eyes, visit the NEI's facts about Diabetic Eye Disease.