Complications of blurred vision in diabetic patients

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc - General Internal Medicine - Endocrinology - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

When you have diabetes, you will experience blurred vision and vision loss. This is because high blood sugar causes the lens of your eye to swell, which changes your ability to see.

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease in which your body either produces insulin, does not produce enough insulin, or simply cannot use it effectively. All of your body's cells need sugar (glucose) to function. Insulin helps break down and deliver sugar to cells throughout your body.
Sugar levels build up in the blood if you don't have enough insulin to break it down, it's hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can negatively affect every part of your body, including your eyes. High blood sugar causes the lens of your eye to swell, which changes your vision
Blurred vision is often one of the first warning signs of diabetes. Your vision may be blurred because fluid is leaking into the lens of your eye. This causes the lens to swell and change shape. Those changes make it hard for your eyes to focus, so things start to look blurry.
To correct this type of blurred vision, you need to bring your blood sugar back into the target range. For many people, this can be between 70 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL before a meal and less than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after starting a meal. However, blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious eye problems. If you feel that your vision is limited or blurred, you should immediately go to medical facilities for a quick examination and treatment by a doctor.
The American Diabetes Association has put together a few eye care guidelines for people with diabetes. Adults with type 1 diabetes should have a complete dilated eye exam within 5 years of diagnosis. Adults with type 2 diabetes should have a complete eye exam soon after diagnosis. See a dilated eye doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

The early symptoms of blurred vision are the onset of dark spots in the eye's vision, flashes of light, holes in vision, or a sudden, extreme blurred vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is a term that describes disorders of the retina caused by diabetes. Some of these disorders include macular edema and proliferative retinopathy.
Macular edema is a swollen macula caused by fluid leakage. The macula is the part of the retina that gives you the center of sharp vision. Other symptoms of macular edema include wavy vision and color changes.
Proliferative retinopathy is when blood vessels leak into the center of the eye. Blurred vision is one of the signs that this disease is occurring. You may also see lots of floating spots or blurs, or have trouble with night vision.
Blurred vision can also be a symptom of glaucoma, where pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve. If you have diabetes, your risk of developing glaucoma is twice that of other adults. Other symptoms of glaucoma may include:
Loss of peripheral vision or vision halo around light rays Red eyes Eye pain Nausea or vomiting.

Since cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy, people with diabetes tend to develop cataracts at a younger age than other adults. Other cataract symptoms include: pale colors, clouded or blurred vision, sensitivity to light, glare or halos around lights, vision that doesn't improve with new or single glasses Medicines must be changed frequently.
3. When to see a doctor It is important for people with diabetes to have both regular check-ups and eye exams. Eyes should be examined comprehensively including eye size when dilated. During your eye exam, be sure to give your doctor full information, such as: Your eye symptoms, talk to your doctor about your personal and family health history and medications. using.
Blurry vision can be a minor problem with quick fixes, such as eye drops or wearing eyeglasses. However, it can also be a sign of a serious eye disease or an underlying medical condition other than diabetes. That's why you should be honest about your blurred vision limitations and other vision changes with your doctor.
In many cases, early treatment can correct the condition or prevent it from getting worse. For example, if your blood sugar is out of control, your doctor can advise you on how to better control it. However, the cause must be determined before a doctor can recommend a treatment plan.
4. Other Causes of Blurred Vision Although blurred vision can signal diabetes, there are other reasons why you might experience blurred vision. Some common causes include: dry eyes, nearsightedness, low blood pressure, eye damage, inflammation or infection...
In many cases, if you sit in front of a computer screen or a handheld electronic device hand for too long,, you may find your eyes blurred, this is called digital eye strain.
Your eyes may feel strained, sore in front of a dimly lit computer screen, smartphone or bright light. If you are not sitting at the computer at an appropriate viewing distance, it can cause additional problems for your eyes. Other signs of eye strain when you use a computer or smartphone for too long include headaches, dry eyes, and neck or shoulder pain.

You can correct this by adjusting your workspace and taking frequent breaks. Additionally, blurred vision can also be a symptom of certain immune system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and lupus. Treatment can reduce symptoms such as blurred vision.

Article reference source: webmd.com, healthline.com