The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a strong association between diabetes and vision impairment. The conditions that cause this vision are collectively known as diabetic eye disease. November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about these conditions so you can protect yourself or a diabetic loved one from disease-related vision loss. Learn more about diabetic eye disease and how you can get involved this month. 

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is an umbrella term used to describe three distinct diabetes-related conditions that can affect vision health: 

• Diabetic Retinopathy – The most common type of diabetic eye disease (affecting over 4% of diabetics), diabetic retinopathy occurs when elevated glucose (blood sugar) causes vessels in the retina to swell and leak. As it progresses, new blood vessels form on the retina, causing scarring and cell loss. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of blindness in diabetics and ALL working-age adults. 
• Cataracts – Cataracts can often develop as a result of diabetes. They occur when the lens of the eye gets clouded. While the CDC reports that over 9% of people had vision loss due to cataracts, not all of these cases are associated with diabetes. 
• Glaucoma – A diabetes diagnosis can double the risk of glaucoma, a group of diseases that impact the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss or complete blindness. This risk can be mitigated by properly managing your diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication adherence. 

How Can I Get Involved?

There are multiple ways to get involved and show your support during Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, starting with learning more about these conditions. Vision health advocacy organization Prevent Blindness offers the Diabetes & the Eyes Educational Toolkit to promote awareness toward these diseases. 

These resources were developed for healthcare professionals, community health educators, diabetes educators, and anyone in a caregiving or diabetes education role. Prevent Blindness also offers the Living Well with Low Vision online resource for anyone struggling with diabetes-related vision problems. 

*Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month (SUNY College of Optometry) https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/the-path-to-faster-visual-recovery-following-glaucoma-surgery