Diabetes & eye health

Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in working-age adults. The hard part is that it usually causes no symptoms until damage is already done.

What happens to the eye

High blood sugar over time damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. This is diabetic retinopathy. Vessels leak, swell, or close off, and the eye may grow fragile new vessels that bleed. Fluid can also build up in the center of the retina (diabetic macular edema), blurring the sharp central vision you use to read and recognize faces.

Why it is dangerous

In the early and middle stages, most people notice nothing. By the time vision changes, blur, floaters, dark areas, the disease is often advanced. You cannot wait for symptoms.

The exam that catches it

A dilated eye exam lets an eye doctor see the whole retina. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends:

• Type 2 diabetes: a dilated eye exam at diagnosis, then at least once a year
• Type 1 diabetes: starting five years after diagnosis, then yearly
• During pregnancy: more often, on your doctor’s advice

Nationally only about 6 in 10 people with diabetes get the yearly exam. When retinopathy is found and treated early, the risk of severe vision loss drops by around 90 percent.

What you can do

• Book a dilated eye exam if you have diabetes and have not had one this year
• Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in your target range
• Do not smoke
• Report any new blur, floaters, or dark spots to your eye doctor right away

On Guam

Eye exams for people with diabetes are available on island through hospital eye clinics and private optometry and ophthalmology practices. Ask your eye doctor about a yearly dilated exam. If cost is a barrier, ask them or the Guam Diabetes Association about community options. The free health screening at the run is a starting point, not a substitute for a full dilated eye exam.