HOW CAN DIABETES AFFECT EYE HEALTH?

Several diseases and afflictions lead to eye diseases and other eye complications. The most notable eye-affecting disease that might surprise you is diabetes. When you think of diabetes, you probably think of heart or kidney problems; few people associate eye diseases with diabetes. If diabetes is not well controlled, it can cause irreversible eye health complications. At Poudre Valley Eye Care in Fort Collins, we have years of experience in vision care and are familiar with the potential risks that diabetes can impose. Some of the main risks include:

How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

BLURRED VISION

When diabetes gets out of control, it can cause your vision to become blurred. When this happens, sometimes people just think, “Huh, weird”, but this is indicative of a much larger concern. When your vision blurs, it’s often due to extra water being pulled into the eye lens. The excess water causes the eye to swell — creating the blurry sensation.

Avoid getting a different contact lens or glasses prescription if you think your vision is blurry from diabetes-related issues. Over time, the swelling will go down. So if you were to get a new vision correction prescription, once the swelling in the eye is reduced, your vision will become blurry again because the contact lenses or glasses are adjusted to the swollen eye.

BLOOD VESSEL DAMAGE

According to recent research, years of poorly regulated blood sugar will cause the excess sugar in your bloodstream to start breaking down the blood vessel lining in the retina. When the walls of the blood vessels in the retina become weak enough, the pressure from the bloodstream can exploit the weak areas of the vessels and cause them to bulge. This is similar to what happens when an inner tube has a structural weakness and you end up with a bulge in your bike tire. The bulging areas of your blood vessels can leak harmful proteins into your eye, causing swelling that makes it difficult to see and can potentially cause irreversible vision loss.

Even if your diabetes is well-controlled, it is wise to get regular eye exams to monitor and prevent any potential eye diseases or complications that can arise in the eye from diabetes. In the Fort Collins area, Poudre Valley Eye Care is the leading optometrist — get in touch with us today for a preventative eye exam.

CATARACTS

Cataracts are an eye disease where the normally clear lens of your eye becomes cloudy. It is similar to having a window with a child’s handprint on it — the surface is still clear, but it’s harder for light to get through, and it appears a bit smudged and cloudy. Unlike a smudge on a window, though, cataracts cannot be wiped clean with a few minutes and some elbow grease. Cataracts often need surgery to be corrected properly.

Cataracts do not exclusively present themselves in people with diabetes. However, people with diabetes tend to get them earlier than people without. Additionally, cataracts tend to progress faster in people with diabetes than in people without.

Many of the negative impacts of eye diseases like diabetes on the eye can be combated by your eye doctor. The best way to make sure that your diabetes does not get a chance to cause problems for your vision care is to come in for regular eye exams. Eye exams are a quick and easy way to monitor your eye health and keep you seeing things clearly for years to come!

Understanding Diabetes and Its Impact on the Body

Diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including those in the eyes. Over time, these effects contribute to a range of eye diseases that may cause permanent vision loss if left untreated.

The Connection Between Diabetes and Eye Health

The eyes rely on a network of tiny blood vessels to function properly. When blood sugar levels remain elevated, these delicate vessels can become damaged, leading to leakage, swelling, and poor circulation. This damage affects different parts of the eye, resulting in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular edema.

Common Eye Conditions Caused by Diabetes

People with diabetes face an increased risk of several eye diseases, including:

• Diabetic Retinopathy – Damage to the retina’s blood vessels due to high blood sugar levels.
• Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) – Fluid buildup in the macula, leading to vision impairment.
• Cataracts – Clouding of the eye’s lens, which causes blurry vision.
• Glaucoma – Increased eye pressure that damages the optic nerve.

Each of these conditions can significantly impact vision, but early detection and proper management can help prevent severe complications.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease caused by diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to swelling, leakage, and abnormal blood vessel growth. This condition can progress through different stages, eventually causing blindness if not treated.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

• Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): The early stage, characterized by small blood vessel damage and fluid leakage.
• Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): The advanced stage, where abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, increasing the risk of vision loss.

How to Prevent Diabetic Eye Complications

Taking proactive steps can help you protect your vision. Here’s how:

Control Blood Sugar Levels – Keeping glucose levels within a healthy range prevents eye damage.
Get Regular Eye Exams – Annual eye check-ups can detect early signs of eye disease.
Maintain a Healthy Diet – Eating foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins supports eye health.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol – Both habits increase the risk of eye complications.
Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol – High levels contribute to eye disease.

How to Recognize Early Warning Signs of Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes can silently damage your eyes, but catching symptoms early saves vision. As Fort Collins’ trusted eye care providers, Poudre Valley Eye Care urges patients to watch for these subtle red flags:

Key Warning Signs:

• Fluctuating Vision Clarity: Blurry vision that improves or worsens daily often signals fluid shifts in the lens due to unstable blood sugar.
• Floaters or Flashes: Sudden dark spots, cobweb-like strands, or light flashes may indicate retinal bleeding (common in diabetic retinopathy).
• Poor Night Vision: Difficulty driving at night or adjusting to dim lighting could mean early cataracts or retinopathy.
• Colors Appearing Faded: A dulling of vibrant hues often points to macular edema or optic nerve damage.

Why Local Care Matters:

Fort Collins residents with diabetes benefit from annual dilated eye exams at Poudre Valley Eye Care. Our optometrists use advanced retinal imaging to detect microvascular changes invisible to the naked eye. Early intervention—like laser treatments or injections—can halt progression and preserve sight.

Diabetes and Glaucoma: The Silent Threat to Vision

Diabetes doubles your risk of glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve. Unlike retinopathy, glaucoma often progresses without symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. Here’s what Fort Collins patients need to know:

How Diabetes Triggers Glaucoma:

• High Blood Pressure: Uncontrolled diabetes raises intraocular pressure (IOP), crushing the optic nerve over time.
• Neovascular Glaucoma: Poor retinal blood flow (from diabetic retinopathy) can spawn abnormal blood vessels that block fluid drainage, spiking IOP.

Risk Factors for Fort Collins Residents:

• Age 45+ (Northern Colorado’s aging population faces higher risks).
• Hispanic or African American heritage (groups with elevated diabetes rates in Larimer County).
• Family history of glaucoma or diabetes.

Symptoms to Never Ignore: Late-stage glaucoma may cause:*

• Tunnel vision (loss of peripheral sight).
• Severe eye pain or headaches.
• Nausea paired with blurred vision.

Key Takeaways

• Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can pull extra fluid into the eye lens, causing swelling and temporary blurred vision.
• Blood Vessel Damage (Retinopathy): Elevated glucose weakens retinal blood vessels, potentially leading to leakage, swelling, and permanent vision loss.
• Early Cataracts: Diabetes speeds up cataract development, causing a cloudy lens and blurry vision sooner than in people without diabetes.
• Increased Risk of Other Conditions: Poorly managed diabetes also raises the likelihood of glaucoma and diabetic macular edema.
• Preventive Eye Exams: Regular check-ups detect early changes and help prevent complications.
• Blood Sugar Control: Maintaining healthy glucose levels is crucial for protecting eye health and overall well-being.