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Diabetic Eye Problems
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/diabeticeyeproblems.html

Diabetic Eye Problems

Also called: Diabetic retinopathy
On this page

Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis and Tests
  • Prevention and Risk Factors

Learn More

  • Related Issues

See, Play and Learn

  • Images
  • Videos and Tutorials

Research

  • Statistics and Research
  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

  • Reference Desk
  • Find an Expert

For You

  • Patient Handouts

Summary

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from foods you eat. The cells of your body need glucose for energy. A hormone called insulin helps the glucose get into your cells.

With type 1 diabetes, your body doesn't make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in your blood and causes high blood glucose levels.

What eye problems can diabetes cause?

Over time, high blood glucose may damage the blood vessels and lenses in your eyes. This can lead to serious diabetic eye problems which can harm your vision and sometimes cause blindness. Some common diabetic eye problems include:

  • Diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. It affects blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). The blood vessels may swell and leak fluid into your eye. If it's not treated, it can cause serious problems such as vision loss and retinal detachment, where the retina is pulled away from its normal position at the back of your eye.
  • Diabetic macular edema (DME), which happens when blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula (the part of the retina needed for sharp, central vision). This usually develops in people who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy.
  • Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve (the bundle of nerves that connects the eye to the brain). Glaucoma from diabetes happens when the blood vessels in the front of your eye are damaged, and new blood vessels grow near the iris (the colored part of your eye). The blood vessels block the space where fluid drains from your eye. This causes fluid to build up and pressure to increase inside your eye.
  • Cataract, which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It happens when the clear lens in the front of your eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts are common as people age. But people with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts younger and faster than people without diabetes. Researchers think that high glucose levels cause deposits to build up in the lenses of your eyes.

Who is more likely to develop diabetic eye problems?

Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease. But your risk of developing it is higher if you have diabetes and:

  • Have had diabetes for a long time
  • Don't have good control over your high blood glucose or high blood pressure
  • Are pregnant
  • Have high blood cholesterol
  • Smoke tobacco

What are the symptoms of diabetic eye problems?

In the early stages, diabetic eye problems usually don't have any symptoms. That's why regular dilated eye exams are so important, even if you think your eyes are healthy.

You should also watch for sudden changes in your vision that could be signs of an emergency. Call your eye care professional right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Many new spots or dark wavy strings floating in your vision (floaters)
  • Flashes of light
  • A dark shadow over part of your vision, like a curtain
  • Vision loss
  • Eye pain or redness

Talk with your eye care professional if you have these symptoms, even if they come and go:

  • Spots or dark wavy strings floating in your vision
  • Blurry or wavy vision
  • Vision that changes a lot
  • Trouble seeing colors

How are diabetic eye problems diagnosed?

Eye care professionals do dilated eye exams to diagnose eye problems. A dilated eye exam uses eye drops to open your pupils wide so your eye care professional can look for signs of eye problems and treat them before they harm your vision. They will also test your vision and measure the pressure in your eyes.

What are the treatments for diabetic eye problems?

Treatment for diabetic eye problems depends on the problem and how serious it is. Some of the treatments include:

  • Lasers to stop blood vessels from leaking
  • Injections (shots) in the eye to stop new, leaky blood vessels from growing
  • Surgery to remove blood and scar tissue or replace a cloudy lens
  • Eye drops to lower fluid pressure in the eye

But these treatments aren't cures. Eye problems can come back. That's why your best defense against serious vision loss is to take control of your diabetes and get regular eye exams. It's also important to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

  • Diabetic Eye Disease From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • Diabetic Retinopathy From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute)
  • Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Video (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
  • Eye Complications (American Diabetes Association)

Symptoms

  • Eye Symptoms (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Dilating Eye Drops (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
  • Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

  • Diabetic Eye Disease From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • Eye Care: MedlinePlus Health Topic From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
  • Stay on TRACK To Prevent Blindness From Diabetes From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute) - PDF Also in Spanish

Related Issues

  • Talking with Your Eye Doctor From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute) Also in Spanish
  • What Is Macular Edema? Video (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish

Images

  • Eye Disease Simulations From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute)

Videos and Tutorials

  • Diabetes - retinal conditions Video (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Diabetic Retinopathy Videos Video (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
  • Retina Video (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Statistics and Research

  • Eye Health Data and Statistics From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute) Also in Spanish
  • new NEI-Funded Study Shows Low Blood Sugar Contributes to Eye Damage and Vision Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetic Retinopathy From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Semaglutide, central retinal thickness and continuous glucose monitoring in persons with...
  • Article: Relationship of haptoglobin phenotype and levels with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in...
  • Article: Ranibizumab with luseogliflozin in type 2 diabetes with diabetic macular oedema:...
  • Diabetic Eye Problems -- see more articles

Reference Desk

  • How the Eyes Work From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute) Also in Spanish
  • NEI for Kids: Glossary From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute)

Find an Expert

  • American Diabetes Association
  • American Foundation for the Blind
  • Find an Ophthalmologist (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
  • Finding an Eye Doctor From the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute)
  • National Eye Institute From the National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases From the National Institutes of Health
  • NIDDK Information Clearinghouses and Health Information Center From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Patient Handouts

  • Diabetes and eye disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Diabetes eye care (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Diabetes eye exams (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Fluorescein angiography (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Intravitreal injection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Laser photocoagulation - eye (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Standard eye exam (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Diabetic Eye Problems

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Diabetes - retinal conditions
  • Diabetes and eye disease
  • Diabetes eye care
  • Diabetes eye exams
  • Fluorescein angiography
  • Intravitreal injection
  • Laser photocoagulation - eye
  • Retina
  • Standard eye exam

Related Health Topics

  • Diabetes
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Vision Impairment and Blindness

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Diabetic Eye Problems is the National Eye Institute

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Diabetic Eye Problems

Disclaimers

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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