Diabetes and Eye Health: Preventing Vision Loss
living with diabetes can impact your vision, but with proactive care, you can protect your eyes from complications like diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.
In the U.S., approximately:
- 96 million adults are prediabetic, with nearly 80% unaware of their condition.
- 37 million people have diabetes, including both Type 1 and Type 2.
Among those with diabetes, studies show that over 50% will develop some form of diabetic eye disease during their lifetime.
Diabetic retinopathy alone is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults.
How Does Diabetes Damage the Eyes?
- Nerve and Vessel Damage: Glycation stiffens and weakens blood vessels, leading to microvascular damage in the retina. This disrupts oxygen flow to the retina, a key structure for vision.
- Retinal Swelling (Diabetic Macular Edema): Leaky blood vessels cause fluid buildup in the retina, particularly in the macula, leading to blurred or distorted vision.
- Growth of Abnormal Blood Vessels (Proliferative Retinopathy): In advanced stages, the body tries to compensate for damaged vessels by growing new ones. These are fragile and prone to bleeding, which can lead to vision loss.
Are Diabetic Eye Issues Reversible?
The reversibility of diabetic eye complications depends on the type and stage of the condition:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Early stages can often be managed with strict blood sugar control and regular monitoring. Advanced cases may require laser treatments, injections, or surgery to prevent further damage, though lost vision might not be fully recoverable.
- Diabetic Macular Edema: This can be treated with anti-VEGF injections, corticosteroids, or laser therapy to reduce swelling and improve vision.
- Cataracts: Surgery is highly effective in replacing the clouded lens with a clear artificial one.
- Glaucoma: Treatment options include eye drops, medications, laser therapy, or surgery. However, vision lost to glaucoma is not reversible.
The key is early detection and timely treatment, as some damage—especially to the optic nerve—is irreversible.
Protect Your Vision
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control.
- Schedule annual eye exams to catch issues early.
- Stay active and avoid smoking for better eye health.
While diabetes poses challenges, proactive management can make a significant difference in preserving your vision. Simple steps like routine eye exams, blood sugar control, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help protect your eyes for years to come.
How You Can Make a Difference
November is Diabetes Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes and its connection to eye health.
Clinical research plays a vital role in improving outcomes for people living with diabetes. Participants in clinical trials gain access to new investigational treatments and help advance the understanding of diabetic eye disease, paving the way for better care for others.
At Ora, we’re proud to lead ophthalmic research across multiple conditions that affect people with diabetes—including diabetic retinopathy and other retinal complications. We invite you to stay connected to learn about future opportunities to participate in our studies.
How You Can Get Involved
Here’s how you can help make a difference this November:
Get Informed: Learn about diabetic eye disease and encourage loved ones with diabetes to schedule regular eye exams.
Join the Conversation: Share resources and stories on social media to promote Diabetes Awareness Month.
Support the Cause: Consider donating to organizations like the American Diabetes Association, Breakthrough T1D, or Diabetes Research Institute Foundation to fund life-changing research and patient support programs.
Together, we can raise awareness, support innovation, and help preserve sight for millions affected by diabetes.
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