Navigating blurred vision with diabetes: Changes, causes, and management
You jump out of bed, rub the sleep from your eyes, and get ready to greet the day. But wait. Everything still looks blurry. If you have diabetes, this may be the cause of your blurry vision. Read on to get the answer to the common question: what does diabetes blurred vision look like?
Understanding vision changes with diabetes
Although diabetes starts out as a problem with the pancreas, it can affect several body parts, including your eyes. Learn more about how diabetes affects your precious peepers.
Introduction to diabetic eye issues
Over time, uncontrolled diabetes damages the blood vessels in your retinas. The retina captures light and transforms it into images of your surroundings. When your blood vessels are damaged, they start leaking, causing blurry vision and other symptoms.
Think of damaged vessels like an aquarium with a tiny crack in it. If the crack gets bigger, there's a good chance the water in the tank will eventually end up all over the floor. To avoid blurry vision and other vision complications, it's important to get regular eye exams.
Types of vision changes
Blurry vision is one of the most common eye-related symptoms of diabetes. If you don't seek treatment or if you don't follow your treatment plan, you may develop diabetic retinopathy or macular edema.
Diabetic retinopathy — whew, what a mouthful! — is the technical term for damage to the blood vessels in your retinas. Macular edema is also caused by blood vessel damage, except it affects a specific part of the retina. The macula is the part of the retina that allows you to see fine detail and perceive colors. It's also critical for central vision, which allows you to drive and perform other important tasks.
What does blurred vision with diabetes look like?
To understand the importance of managing your diabetes, let's explore what it's like to have blurred vision.
Characterizing blurred vision
Blurry vision is when things don't look as sharp as they used to. The objects around you may appear a bit "fuzzy," making it harder to make out fine details. For some people, blurry vision also causes headaches. If you find yourself squinting all the time, get yourself to an eye care professional for a thorough evaluation.
Visual disturbances in diabetes
Floaters, flashes, and difficulty focusing are also associated with blurred vision related to diabetes. An eye floater is a spot that may look like a cobweb or a speck. Flashes, known as photopsia — try saying that three times in a row — occur when you see flashes of light without a light source. If you can't focus your vision, the people and objects around you may appear blurry.
Why does diabetes cause blurred vision?
When it comes to diabetes-related blurred vision, blood vessels get most of the attention. However, diabetes can also affect the lens of each eye.
Impact on the lens
The lens focuses light on the retina, making it critical for seeing clearly. Uncontrolled diabetes makes the lens less flexible, making it difficult to see objects up close. The medical term for this condition is presbyopia.
How does diabetes affect your vision?
Over time, diabetes has the potential to cause serious vision problems.
Long-term effects on vision
If you don't get your blood sugar under control, your blood vessels may sustain additional damage, leading to permanent vision loss. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States.
Managing diabetic eye health
If you have diabetes, ask your healthcare provider for guidance on reducing your glucose levels. It's important to eat a balanced diet, get plenty of exercise, and take your diabetes medications as prescribed. When you're first diagnosed, you may have to check your blood sugar several times per day to better understand how food and exercise affect your glucose levels.
Be proactive about eye care
Blurry vision is one of the most common diabetes-related eye problems. You can't reverse most types of eye damage, so it's important to be proactive. Schedule regular eye exams, especially if you have diabetes or another health condition that affects the blood vessels. If you need corrective lenses, use 1-800 Contacts to find your preferred brand.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to some common questions about blurred vision and diabetes.
Can blurred vision in diabetes be reversed?
If you seek treatment before your diabetes causes permanent damage, it's possible to correct blurry vision by stabilizing your blood sugar level. You can't reverse blurry vision caused by permanent eye damage.
How often should individuals with diabetes have eye exams?
After a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, you should have an eye exam as soon as possible. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you'll need an eye exam within 5 years of your diagnosis. After the initial exam, you should see an eye care professional every 1 to 2 years.
Are there specific treatments for blurred vision caused by diabetes?
It may be possible to reverse diabetic retinopathy, but there are no specific treatments for the blurred vision caused by diabetes. To avoid vision complications, it's important to keep your glucose levels in check.