Eye disease can affect people with diabetes type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes (diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy) to include retinopathy, macular edema, cataract, and glaucoma. Subsequently, all can lead to vision loss and blindness.

However, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment can go a long way toward protecting your eyesight. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes your eye health journey should start with scheduling annual dilated eye exams.

The eye’s roleYour eyes are the organ that allows you to see. The eyes take in light to send visual information to your brain. Your eyes can see about 200 degrees in all directions including in front of you and peripheral vision.

The eye has various parts to allow vision, movement, and depth. In addition, your eyes can see millions of colors in varying shades. Let’s uncover common issues, and the steps you can take to maintain a healthy visual path while living with diabetes.

Decoding diabetic eye factsUncontrolled diabetes can damage a person’s eyes over time and cause vision loss, even blindness. Anyone with diabetes type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes can develop eye complications with risk that increases when glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels are too high for long periods of time.

Also, smoking or vaping increases eye complications.

When health meets hurdles: Diabetic eye symptomsEarly notable changes may include blurred vision, blood-shot red eyes, spots, flashes, and difficulty reading detailed print.

Advanced symptoms include seeing floating dark shapes, trouble seeing colors, darkened visual field areas, deteriorating vision, and visionary loss.

Listen to the warning signsEmpowerment begins with knowledge, and your proactive involvement can make a world of difference. Regular check-ups and screenings are your allies in early detection and management. Diabetic retinopathy has 2 main stages:

• Early stage: The tiny blood vessels in the walls in the retina weaken and bulge, forming tiny pouches. These tiny pouches can leak blood and other fluid, leading to macula swelling (macular edema) and distort your vision. Note: Macular edema is the most common cause of blindness in people with diabetic retinopathy. Approximately, 50% of people with diabetic retinopathy will develop macular edema.
• Advanced stage: The retina begins to grow new blood vessels. These tiny new blood vessels are fragile and often bleed into the vitreous (the clear gel between the lens and retina). The minor bleeding, leads to “seeing floating dark black spots.” As the bleeding increases, the vision slowly advances to being completely blocked.

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Understanding treatment optionsNow that you have the knowledge and understand the symptoms, there are a few treatments for you and your doctor to consider that include:

• Photocoagulation laser therapy: This creates a barrier of scar tissue that slows the growth of new blood vessels.
• VEGF inhibitor medications: To slow down or reverse diabetic retinopathy.
• Reattachment of the retina: Procedure for retinal detachment; common complication of diabetic retinopathy.
• Vitrectomy: Removing all or part of the vitreous.
• Injections: Focal therapy targets treatment of the cancerous section of the

Other eye diseases

• Cataracts: Cloudy vision tends to occur as you get older. Surgery is the only method to treat cataracts. The good news is that surgery can be delayed, is safe, and most people will have improved their vision afterwards.
• Glaucoma: Vision is affected by high pressure in the eye area causing damage to the optic nerve. Treatment includes surgery, laser treatment, and medications.

When in doubt, seek professional guidanceIt’s important to know the difference between eye referrals to:

Optician referral: Responsible to fill eye prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses.

Optometrist referral: Basically, optometry addresses routine general eye health checkups and concerns, such as performing eye exams and vision tests, detecting visionary problems, and prescribing corrective treatment options including glasses, contact lenses, and medication prescriptions.

Ophthalmologist referral: Advanced ophthalmology care to address all medical and surgical issues affecting the eye. Basically, an ophthalmologist is more of a specialist to treat complex medical issues related to the eyes and can perform corrective or surgical procedures. Treats eye-related issues due to complex medical conditions including diabetes, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, skin tag/mole removal near eyes, laser eye surgery, and treatments that pose a threat to your eyesight.

Caring for your eye’s health: A lifestyle connectionThe choices you make today can affect your vision later. Always wear protective eyewear to prevent workplace injuries especially if working in welding, metalwork, woodworking, excessive sunlight exposure for long periods and/or playing in contact sports.

Most importantly, to keep your eyes healthy, you should see your provider for regular eye exams. These simple tips can have positive profound effects to your eye health.