Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Diabetic Eye Disease

Though it sounds like a single condition, diabetic eye disease is actually a group of vision-related problems that can result from various factors, including chronically high blood glucose and blood pressure. Diabetes affects the entire body and, if it’s not properly managed, can lead to complications, such as damage to your blood vessels (the arteries, veins, and capillaries that the heart moves blood through) and nerves, including those in your eye. The good news is that you can lower your risk for eye problems by managing your diabetes-an important part of staying healthy head to toe-and getting regular eye exams. An eye doctor can detect eye problems before they get too serious and can help you treat these problems early.