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Diabetes

 

Question: Can having diabetes affect vision?

 

Answer: Diabetes* and its complications can affect vision. It can cause changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness and cause premature presbyopia, which is the inability to focus on close objects. Having diabetes can increase the chance of developing cataracts, glaucoma, paralysis of the nerves that control the eye muscles or pupil, and cause decreased corneal sensitivity. The most serious problem associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is a weakening or swelling of the tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye. This may cause blood leakage, the growth of new blood vessels and other changes in the retina. If this condition is present and left untreated, blindness can result! There are several factors that increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. They include smoking, high blood pressure, drinking alcohol and pregnancy.

 

Some of the visual symptoms associated with diabetes include fluctuating or blurring of vision, occasional double vision, loss of visual field and flashes or floaters within the eye. Sometimes these early signs of diabetes are first detected by your Optometrist.

 

Vision loss from diabetes can be prevented by having routine comprehensive eye health examinations done by your Optometrist. Your Optometrist can diagnose potential vision threatening changes in the eye that may be treated to prevent blindness. It is important to note, however, that once damage has occurred the effects are usually permanent. See your Optometrist when you are first diagnosed as a diabetic, at least annually thereafter and more frequently if recommended.

 

Controlling the diabetes as much as possible is important in order to minimize the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The early stage of retinopathy is monitored through eye health examinations. If necessary, it may be treated with laser therapy. A bright beam of light is focused on the retina causing a burn, which seals off leaking blood vessels. In other cases, surgery inside the eye may be necessary. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is crucial, as treatment is much more likely to be successful at an early stage.

A comprehensive optometric eye health examination done by your Optometrist can determine the presence of amblyopia or lazy eye. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the greater the chance for a complete recovery. Treatment may involve covering the good eye so the brain is forced to recognize the amblyopic eye. This method of treatment will develop more connections between the brain and the affected eye and improve the vision in the eye. It should be noted that corrective lenses might also be necessary.

 

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following comprehensive eye health examination guidelines:

 

* All content is provided for education and information, and is no substitute for the advice of your optometrist. This information is provided courtesy of the British Columbia Association of Optometrists (B.C.A.O.). The B.C.A.O. assumes no responsibility or liability arising from any errors or omissions or from the use of any information contained herein.