How Diabetes Affects Vision
Although individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as are non-diabetics, the primary vision problem caused by diabetes is damage to the retina (Diabetic retinopathy), the leading cause of new cases of blindness and low vision in adults aged 20-65:
The retina is a thin, light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside surface of the eye. Nerve cells in the retina convert incoming light into electrical impulses. These electrical impulses are carried by the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as visual images. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is damage to the small blood vessels that nourish tissue and nerve cells in the retina.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can include:
Blurred or double vision
Flashing lights, which can indicate a retinal detachment
A veil, cloud, or streaks of red in the field of vision, or dark or floating spots in one or both eyes, which can indicate bleeding
Blind or blank spots in the field of vision
