Diabetes can affect more than your blood sugar—it can also damage your eyes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. These vessels can leak, bleed or become blocked, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
The most concerning part? Diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms in its early stages, so you may not notice a problem until your vision is affected.
As the condition progresses, you may experience:
Blurred or fluctuating vision
Floaters (spots or dark strings in your vision)
Dark or empty areas in your field of vision
Faded colours or difficulty seeing at night
Vision loss
How Can You Protect Your Eyes?
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you can help reduce your risk of vision loss by:
Booking annual, comprehensive eye exams: A dilated eye exam can detect diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear.
Managing your blood sugar: Follow your diabetes treatment plan laid out by your doctors and monitor your blood sugar as recommended.
Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol: These can also affect your eye health.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Eat well, stay physically active, keep a healthy weight and avoid smoking.
Seeking early treatment: Early detection and treatment can help prevent further vision loss.
Don't ignore changes in your vision. Sudden vision changes require urgent medical assessment.
This Diabetes Awareness Month, make your eye health a priority. Even if your vision seems perfectly fine, regular eye exams are essential for protecting your sight. Early detection can make all the difference! Book an appointment with our optometrists today!