How Diabetes Can Impact the Eyes

Taking care of your health when you have been diagnosed with diabetes will greatly impact your day-to-day activities. Diabetes is a condition that needs to be monitored throughout the day in order to keep the body healthy and avoid the consequences of poor diabetic care. The doctors at Cincinnati Eye Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio encourage patients who have been diagnosed with this condition to not only work with their primary care physician, but to maintain routine vision appointments with their ophthalmologists. Patients with diabetes need to take special care in ensuring their condition is well-maintained to reduce risks associated with vision health.

What are some signs that your vision is being impacted by diabetes?

Not all vision concerns that stem from poor diabetes maintenance are extremely noticeable, which is why patients should visit their eye doctor regularly for evaluations. However, patients who notice any of the following symptoms when they have been diagnosed with diabetes should make contact with the team at Cincinnati Eye Institute for an examination:

• Blurry vision lasting more than two days
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Increased number of floaters in the field of vision
• Flashing or blinding lights in the eyes
• Pain or pressure in the eyes

What are the most common eye conditions seen with patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes?

There are a few conditions that often result from diabetes and can impact vision, including:

• Glaucoma – patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes have twice as much of a chance in developing glaucoma than patients who are not diabetic. Glaucoma can cause damage to the vision due to pressure buildup.
• Cataracts – while cataracts are a common age-related vision condition, patients with diabetes can develop this condition at a higher rate and a younger age. Cataracts cause the vision to become blurry, and may eventually require artificial lenses.
• Retinopathy – disorders that affect the eye may be much more common in patients with type 1 diabetes, while patients with type 2 diabetes may still be impacted by this group of disorders.

Learn more about diabetic eye care with the team at Cincinnati Eye Institute

With eleven locations throughout the area of Cincinnati, Ohio, patients have access to services that can help them maintain healthy vision and improve their eye health. Patients are invited to request an appointment by calling (800) 544-5133.