It’s easy to think of diabetes as a disease that only affects blood sugar, but in reality, it’s one of the leading causes of vision loss.
Diabetes silently impacts your vision over time. At Hopewell-Lambertville Eye Associates, we help patients in Hopewell and Lambertville detect and manage these risks early, before lasting damage occurs.
The Facts: How Diabetes Robs You of Your Sight
Unchecked diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body, including those in your eyes. The consequences range from annoying to vision-threatening.
1. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease. It happens when high blood sugar damages the delicate vessels in the retina. Over time, these vessels can leak blood, causing vision changes. In advanced stages, abnormal new vessels form, which can lead to retinal detachment and even blindness.
2. Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Macular edema is a complication of diabetic retinopathy. The macula, the part of your retina responsible for sharp vision, swells from fluid leakage, leading to blurry vision and distortion. This makes it hard to read, drive, or recognize faces.
3. Cataracts
While anyone can develop cataracts, people with diabetes tend to get them earlier and more severely. Cloudy lenses can add to already-compromised vision, especially if blood sugar isn’t well controlled.
4. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve, often linked to high eye pressure. People with diabetes are more likely to develop this “silent thief of sight,” especially if their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are poorly managed.
5. Dry Eyes and Diabetes
Not all diabetes-related eye problems are dramatic at first. Chronically dry eyes may seem mild, but they can impact your comfort, blur your vision, and increase the risk of infection. Talk to us about eye drops for diabetics that are formulated to soothe and protect.
6. Eye Floaters from Diabetes
Seeing floaters, tiny dark shapes drifting across your vision, might mean blood or debris inside your eye. These can be signs of bleeding vessels in the retina, especially if you’re in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy.
What You Can Do Right Now to Protect Your Eyes
Vision loss from diabetes is not inevitable. Whether you’ve been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, are managing type 1 diabetes, or are monitoring signs of gestational diabetes, you can take key steps to protect your eyes.
Here’s what we recommend for our patients in Hopewell and Lambertville:
- Schedule regular eye exams: A comprehensive eye exam is the only way to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy or other problems before symptoms appear. At Hopewell-Lambertville Eye Associates, we recommend yearly diabetic eye exams for all patients with diabetes.
- Watch for changes in your vision: Report any new floaters, flashes of light, blurry vision, or difficulty seeing at night. These can be signs of bleeding in the eye or swelling in the retina.
- Manage your diabetes closely: Maintaining stable blood sugar levels reduces the risk of vessel damage in the eyes. Sudden spikes or chronic highs put your vision at risk.
- Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels: These factors, when combined with diabetes, increase the risk of eye disease.
- Avoid tobacco: Smoking increases the risk of blood vessel problems, including those in your eyes. Quitting reduces your risk and supports your long-term eye health.
- Engage in physical activity: Regular movement helps regulate blood sugar and improves circulation to the eyes, especially important for people with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and Eyesight: Early Action Matters
Our team at Hopewell-Lambertville Eye Associates takes a whole-body approach to eye care. That means we don’t just look at vision in isolation; we consider how diabetes, medications, and lifestyle all affect your eyes. We use advanced retinal imaging and other diagnostic tools to detect changes early and guide personalized treatment plans.
We also understand that many of our patients in New Jersey juggle multiple responsibilities, from careers to caregiving, and may not prioritize routine eye care. But your eyesight is worth protecting. Even if your vision seems fine, early detection can mean the difference between easy monitoring and lifelong vision changes.
Protect the Vision You Count on with Diabetes Care in New Jersey
Schedule a comprehensive diabetic eye exam at Hopewell-Lambertville Eye Associates in Hopewell or Lambertville. We’ll help you understand how diabetes is affecting your eyes and provide the care and guidance you need to maintain clear vision.
Diabetic Eye Care FAQs
Can an eye doctor detect diabetes during an exam?
Yes. During a dilated exam, your optometrist can often see signs of diabetes in the retina, such as leaking blood vessels, even before you experience symptoms.
Are eye floaters from diabetes dangerous?
They can be. Sudden floaters might indicate bleeding in the eye due to damaged vessels. Contact an eye care provider promptly if this happens.
What type of eye drops can help people with diabetes?
Eye drops for diabetics are often designed to reduce dryness and inflammation, which are common with diabetes. We’ll help you find the right one for your condition.
