Blurred Vision - One Symptom of Diabetes

Blurred Vision

Having blurred or distorted vision, seeing floaters or occasional flashes of light may be a direct result of high blood sugar levels which is one symptom of diabetes, known as Diabetes retinopathyn (damage to the retina due to diabetes). It is the most common, serious vision complication for people with diabetes. It occurs when the blood vessels leading to the retina of the eye become blocked and/or leak fluid or blood (hemorrhage) into the eye. According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetic retinopathy causes 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year. Despite these scary statistics, research indicates up to 90% of these new cases could be reduced with vigilant care of the eye.




Although most people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes will experience some degree of retinopathy eventually, early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically lower the chances of vision loss. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes get a dilated eye exam at least annually to detect signs of eye disease early and to learn about the latest advances in eye disease prevention. The longer a person goes without being diagnosed and treated, the higher his or her chance of developing diabetic retinopathy is. Eye care is especially important for people with diabetes, as they are at increased risk of developing eye complications from the disease. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20 to 74. Often, there is little or no early warning signs.  All people with diabetes should take precautions to help reduce their risk of developing eye problems.

Here are some eye care tips:

• Schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor so that any eye problem can be detected early and treated
• Maintain control of your blood glucose levels
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure
• Eat a healthy diet
• Avoid smoking
• Exercise regularly

High blood pressure by itself can lead to eye disease, so if you have high blood pressure as well as diabetes, it is especially important that you take steps to control both conditions.

When Should I Call the Eye Doctor? If you have diabetes, you should see your eye doctor regularly, especially if you experience any visual problems or notice any changes in your vision. You should seek medical care for your eyes immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blurring of vision
• Black spots
• Flashes of light
• Partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes

Diabetes symptoms Early diabetes symptoms, especially type 2 diabetes, can be subtle or seemingly harmless — if you have them at all. You could have diabetes for months or even years and not have any diabetes symptoms. In the United States alone, nearly 6 million people have undiagnosed diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. But you don't need to become a statistic. Understanding possible diabetes symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and treatment — and a lifetime of better health.

If you're experiencing any of the following diabetes signs and symptoms, see your doctor:

Excessive thirst and increased urination When you have diabetes, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood. Your kidneys are forced to work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar. If your kidneys can't keep up, the excess sugar is excreted into your urine along with fluids drawn from your tissues. This triggers more frequent urination, which may leave you dehydrated. As you drink more fluids to quench your thirst, you'll urinate even more.

Fatigue You may feel fatigued. Many factors can contribute to this. They include dehydration from increased urination and your body's inability to function properly, since it's less able to use sugar for energy needs.

Weight loss Weight fluctuations also fall under the umbrella of possible diabetes signs and symptoms. When you lose sugar through frequent urination, you also lose calories. At the same time, diabetes may keep the sugar from your food from reaching your cells — leading to constant hunger. The combined effect is potentially rapid weight loss, especially if you have type 1 diabetes.

Blurred vision Diabetes symptoms sometimes involve your vision. High levels of blood sugar pull fluid from your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. This affects your ability to focus. Diabetes can cause new blood vessels to form in your retina in the back part of your eye, as well as damage established vessels. For most people, these early changes do not cause vision problems. However, if these changes progress undetected, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.

Click here to read about Diabetic Retinopathy.

"The good news is that this symptom is reversible once blood sugar levels are returned to normal or near normal. But letting your blood sugar go unchecked  will cause permanent vision problems and damage to the health of your eyes, possibly even blindness. And that's not reversible," Dr. Morton explains.

I’m Dr. Mike Morton, If you have any questions about blurred vision, feel free to call my office and tell them you want to “Ask My Eye Doctor” about blurred vision and diabetes. SB Eyecare Associates, your premier San Bernardino Optometry office, at (909) 963-1420 or stop by our office: 222 North G. Street, Suite 1 San Bernardino, CA 92410

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