Common Eye Diseases
Associated With Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common eye diseases connected to diabetes, affecting over 4 million people in the United States.
This disease occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in your retina. In early development, the vessels can bulge or break, leaking fluid into the retina. Advanced symptoms can cause your retina to create new but thinner and weaker vessels to compensate for blood flow loss. These new vessels can increase the chance of developing scar tissue on the retina, leading to retinal detachment and vision loss.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema is fluid buildup under the macula caused by diabetic retinopathy. As fluids leak from damaged retinal blood vessels, they can accumulate under your macula, causing it to swell, deteriorating your central vision.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and the chances of developing it nearly double when you have diabetes.
Open-angle glaucoma develops when your eye is either producing too much fluid (aqueous humor) or isn’t draining it adequately enough to maintain stable intraocular pressure (IOP) levels. As pressure increases inside your eye, it can damage your optic nerve, leading to vision loss.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common eye condition you can develop as you age, but diabetes can make you 5 times more at risk. Cataracts cause the clear, crystalline lens of your eye to become rigid and opaque, preventing light from reaching your retina and reducing your vision quality.
