How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes & Vision
Diabetic eye disease is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, yet many people don’t experience symptoms until the damage is advanced. Nearly 11.5 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes and are at increased risk for vision loss.
Annual eye exams help monitor changes in the retina and detect signs of disease before they affect your vision. If you have diabetes, our optometrists may recommend more frequent monitoring depending on your health and risk factors.
Diabetes can affect your vision in different ways.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetes-related eye condition that occurs when elevated blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the retina. The vessels can swell, leak, or close off completely. Over time, this can lead to blurred vision, floaters, and even permanent blindness.
In advanced cases, new abnormal vessels form—a condition called proliferative diabetic retinopathy. These new vessels are fragile and prone to leaking, leading to scar tissue, macular damage, and potential retinal detachment.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
When fluid leaks into the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision, diabetic macular edema can occur. If left untreated, this condition can significantly impair central vision and reduce quality of life.
Glaucoma
People with diabetes are also at greater risk of developing glaucoma. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels block the normal drainage of eye fluid, increasing eye pressure and damaging the optic nerve over time.