How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes
Did you know that vision is one of the main factors at risk for someone with diabetes? According to the National Eye Institute, diabetes-related eye problems are the leading cause of blindness in American adults because most diabetes-related issues are at the root of some major eye conditions.
Don’t automatically assume that you need a new eyeglass prescription if your eyesight becomes hazy. Blurry vision could be an indicator that you have diabetes if you have yet to be diagnosed. Always talk to your doctor if you experience any sudden changes in your vision.

How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes
- High/Low Blood Sugar: Having blood sugar levels outside of their normal range will cause swelling of the eye lens, which can lead to temporary blurred vision. Getting the glucose levels back into the targeted range will correct the blurred vision but too much glucose in the bloodstream damages blood vessels and nerves that leads to more serious and permanent eye conditions.
- High Blood Pressure: Those with diabetes are twice as likely to experience high blood pressure. This is when the arteries have an increased resistance against the flow of blood so the heart has to pump harder than usual to circulate the blood. Because diabetes damages your small blood vessels, the walls of the blood vessels stiffen causing increased pressure. Continued elevation of blood pressure levels can eventually lead to heart disease, stroke and serious vision diseases.
Diabetic Eye Diseases
Take control of your diabetes and pay attention to any changes in your vision so you can stop vision problems in their tracks. As always, contact your eye doctor if any issues or questions arise.