5 Ways To Help Prevent Diabetic Eye Diseases

Having diabetes puts you at higher risk of developing certain eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. About 90 percent of diabetes-related vision loss can be prevented, but early detection is key.

Anyone with diabetes — including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes — is at risk of developing eye diseases. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater their risk. Other factors that increase the risk include: poor control of blood sugar levels over time; high blood pressure; kidney disease; high cholesterol levels; and pregnancy.

Nearly 10 million Americans are at risk for blindness from diabetic retinopathy, according to a new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. In 2021, an estimated 9.6 million people in the United States — 26% of those with diabetes — had the eye illness and nearly 2 million had the most severe form, "vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy" (VTDR), researchers say. That's 5% of those with diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetic eye diseases may include: blurred or distorted vision; difficulty reading; spots or "floaters" in your vision; a shadow across the field of vision; eye pressure; difficulty with color perception. People with any of these symptoms should get checked as soon as possible.

You can have problems with your eyes even if you don’t have trouble seeing. An eye healthcare provider (ophthalmologist) or specially trained optometrist will give you a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you:

• See dark spots
• Don't see well in dim light
• Have eye pain or pressure
• Have any other problems

Follow these steps now to help preserve your vision for the future.

1. Get a comprehensive dilated eye examination from your ophthalmologist at least once a year. People who have diabetes should have a dilated retinal exam every year. Remember that this is a special eye exam that is not the same as having your vision checked for glasses.  
2. Control your blood sugar.
3. Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Exercise.

HealthDay News contributed information to this article.