11/03/2025
Diabetes and the eye
Be hEYEalthy series – Tiffani B. Jackson, OD
Taking care of your eyes is beneficial to both your sight and overall health and wellness. “Diabetes-related eye disease is the number one cause of blindness for working age Americans.” When uncontrolled diabetes affects the back of the eye it is called diabetic retinopathy.
• Diabetic retinopathy affects the eyes by causing damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye.
Other ocular complications from diabetes:
• Abrupt change in glasses prescription - Refractive errors (which happen when the shape of your eye doesn’t bend light correctly) are common problems easily corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. When blood sugar fluctuates too frequently or too often, then a glasses prescription may not work properly, and your vision can change as a result.
• Cataracts - which can grow quickly due to fluctuating blood sugar and cause blurred vision.
• Eye muscle weakening - which can lead to temporary double vision, if blood sugar is not properly controlled.
What can I do to protect my overall eye health? It is always recommended to get a complete routine eye examination that includes dilation from your eye doctor. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) listed below are some strategies to help keep healthy eyes:
• Importance of a dilated eye exam
o An eye care professional will use eye drops to widen the pupils to check for common vision problems and eye diseases. It’s the best way to find out if you are in the early stages of any eye-related diseases.
• Importance of nutrition
o Eating a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Also, increasing your intake of green leafy vegetables containing antioxidants and not smoking or quit smoking if you already do is a great preventative measure.
• Importance of family ocular history
o Some eye diseases run in the family and can increase your risk factors for that same condition. Talking to your family members about their eye and general health can help you find out if you’re at a higher risk for eye disease.
• Importance of medication compliance
o Some management and treatments for certain eye conditions include the use of eye drops. It is important to follow the instructions for usage provided by your eye doctor to the best of your ability.
• Importance of annual follow ups with your primary care physician