23 Jun Diabetes and Cataracts: What You Should Know
Did you know that diabetes can raise your risk of developing cataracts? If you or someone you love has diabetes, it’s important to understand how it can affect your eyes, especially when it comes to cataracts.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts happen when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. This can make your vision blurry, dim, or even change the way you see colors. Cataracts usually develop slowly, and you may not notice them right away. Over time, they can make everyday tasks like reading, driving, or watching TV more difficult.
How Diabetes Increases Your Risk
People with diabetes often have higher blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar stays high for a long time, it can affect many parts of your body, including your eyes. Extra sugar in the eye’s lens can cause it to swell and become cloudy. This cloudiness is what forms a cataract.
People with diabetes are more likely to get cataracts at a younger age. Their cataracts also tend to grow faster than in people without diabetes.
Signs of Cataracts
If you have diabetes, look out for these symptoms:
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Faded or dull colors
- Glare or halos around lights
- Trouble seeing at night
- Frequent changes in your glasses prescription
If you notice any of these changes, it’s time to schedule an eye exam.
What You Can Do
Here are a few ways to protect your vision:
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control
- Get regular eye exams
- Wear sunglasses to block UV rays
- Eat healthy foods and stay active
If cataracts begin to affect your vision, cataract surgery is a safe and common option. During surgery, your cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial one. Most people notice much better vision after recovery.
Don’t Wait to Get Checked
Early detection is key. At Total Eye Care, we provide full eye exams and advanced tools to track your vision. If you have diabetes, keeping your eyes healthy should be a top priority.
Need an exam or have questions about cataracts? Schedule an appointment with us today