Living with diabetes in Surprise, AZ means more than just watching your blood sugar. It's about protecting your whole body, including your eyes. Many people don't realize that diabetes can seriously damage vision — often with no warning symptoms until significant harm has already occurred.
How Diabetes Affects the Eyes
High blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels that supply the retina. This condition, called diabetic retinopathy, can cause these vessels to leak, swell, or grow abnormally. Over time, it can lead to blurred vision, dark spots, vision fluctuations, and eventually permanent vision loss if left untreated.
The Four Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Mild non-proliferative: Small areas of swelling in retinal blood vessels
- Moderate non-proliferative: Some blood vessels become blocked
- Severe non-proliferative: Many vessels are blocked, signaling the retina to grow new ones
- Proliferative: New, fragile blood vessels grow and can bleed, causing serious vision loss
Other Diabetes-Related Eye Conditions
- Diabetic macular edema: Fluid buildup in the macula, causing central vision blur
- Cataracts: People with diabetes develop cataracts at younger ages
- Glaucoma: Diabetes doubles the risk of developing glaucoma
Why Annual Eye Exams Are Essential
Diabetic eye disease often has no symptoms in its early stages. By the time vision changes are noticeable, significant damage may have already occurred. Annual dilated eye exams allow your optometrist to detect early changes before vision is lost.
Book Your Diabetic Eye Exam
If you have diabetes, don't skip your annual eye exam. Call us at 623-214-0353 or book an appointment with Active Eyecare of Surprise today.