High blood sugar can impact your vision and cause problems liked blurred vision, cataracts, and glaucoma. It can even cause blindness. Since diabetes can play such a role in your vision, it’s important to get regular eye exams from your doctor.
Aside from scheduling eye exams, here’s what you should know about your vision as you treat your diabetes:
High blood sugar causes blurred vision
If your blood sugar isn’t in check, your vision will blur. It’s not a time to rush to the doctor’s office, it’s a time to check your sugar levels and make the right adjustments. Doing so may not correct your vision immediately. In some cases, it can take months for your vision to return to normal.
Cataracts can form easily
People with diabetes tend to get cataracts easier than others, and when they show up, they get worse quickly. A cataract causes your eye or eyes to become cloudy, which makes it hard to see. If this is happening, you need to see your eye doctor. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, but it’s a fairly simple procedure.
There are two types of glaucoma to watch for
Glaucoma comes in several forms. The first is when fluid gets trapped behind your eye and it causes pressure and damage to your nerve endings. This can be treated with medication, which reduces the pressure.
The second type is rare. It’s called neovascular glaucoma, which is when blood vessels form on the iris and build pressure. Treatment, in this case, is laser surgery or injections.
If you’re diabetic, it’s important to understand how the condition impacts your vision. To catch problems as they occur, be sure to schedule regular exams with your eye doctor and discuss any changes with your primary care physician as well.
