Blurred Vision from Type 2 Diabetes

Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can have many implications on your health. It is astonishing how high blood sugar is able to affect every part of your body such as your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, feet, and skin. Your vision, unfortunately, is not immune to the effects of type 2 diabetes. Blurred vision from type 2 diabetes is quite common; as a matter of fact, blurred vision is a warning sign that you should consider diabetes testing. People with type 2 diabetes are at risk for many vision problems including blurred vision, eye disease, and blindness.

Blurred vision from type 2 diabetes is usually linked to minor disorders. However, statistics show that type 2 diabetes does lead to a higher risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy, all of which can cause blurred vision. By remaining aware about your vision and consulting an eye specialist regularly, it is possible to get treatment for blurred vision from type 2 diabetes and save your sight.

The longer you have diabetes, the more risk you have of being diagnosed with glaucoma. Having diabetes gives you a 40 percent greater chance of developing glaucoma at some time during your life. Glaucoma is a condition marked by increased pressure in the eyeball. Blurred vision and vision loss occurs with glaucoma because increased pressure damages blood vessels, the retina, and the optic nerve.

Cataracts could be another reason for blurred vision from type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, you are 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts. This condition causes a clouding of the eye’s clear lens, resulting in blurred vision, glare, and halos. It is possible to transplant an artificial lens into eyes with cataract, thus restoring sight.

Almost everyone with type 1 and type 2 diabetes will eventually have blurred vision caused by retinopathy. In retinopathy, damage is caused by blood vessels in the eyes. At first retinopathy may cause no vision loss, but over time retinopathy can lead to blindness.

While it’s very possible that you will notice blurred vision from type 2 diabetes, or as one of the first signs of diabetes, most people with diabetes have no permanent eye problems or only minor eye problems. Catching vision problems before they become serious is critical to maintaining good eyesight.