How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?
Diabetes can increase your risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma, and even temporary changes in blood sugar levels can lead to blurred vision. If sugar in the blood builds up over the long-term, it can cause blockages in the blood vessels of your retina, preventing blood flow and leading to several diabetic eye diseases.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) occurs when the retina’s blood vessels are damaged, clogged, or blocked due to high blood sugar levels. Early stages of the disease may come with no vision changes or noticeable symptoms, but if left untreated, DR can lead to permanent vision loss and, eventually, blindness.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of diabetic retinopathy. When DR leads to tiny bulges in the blood vessel walls, they can leak fluid or blood into the retina. This leaking can swell the macula, leading to DME and potential vision loss.