Can diabetes affect my eyes?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
Yes, and quietly. High sugar damages the tiny vessels of the retina for years before vision changes, which is why annual dilated eye exams are part of diabetes care even when sight feels perfect.
Caught early, retinopathy is very treatable; caught late, less so. Blurred vision can also swing temporarily with sugar levels themselves.
Sudden vision loss, floaters showering across vision, or curtains over sight are emergencies. Otherwise: book the yearly exam, keep sugar and blood pressure controlled, and the odds stay strongly in your favor.
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