Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar. It can also increase a person’s risk of developing certain eye conditions, including glaucoma.

Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar from food enter the body’s cells so they can use it for energy. If a person has diabetes, their body either does not make enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it does produce. This can make it difficult for a person to manage their blood sugar levels. As such, this can lead to complications, including those that may affect eye health.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the nerve in the back of the eye, called the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness.

In this article, we will discuss the link between glaucoma and diabetes. We also discuss risk factors for glaucoma, potential symptoms, and treatment options.

A person checking their blood sugar-2.Share on Pinterest
Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images

Diabetes can cause a person to develop high blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the medical term for this damage.

Damaged blood vessels can then swell and leak. This can cause a person’s vision to become blurry and reduce retinal blood flow. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Diabetic retinopathy can also cause abnormal blood vessels to grow within the retina. This can block fluid from draining out of the eye.

When this occurs, it causes pressure within the eye to increase, which can damage the optic nerve. This damage to the optic nerve is known as glaucoma. Research notes that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Some evidence indicates that if a person has diabetes, it almost doubles their risk of developing glaucoma.

The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy. Other risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing diabetic retinopathy include:

There are a number of things that can increase a person’s risk of developing glaucoma. These include:

Glaucoma does not usually cause symptoms at first. This causes a lot of people with glaucoma to not know they have it.

Over time, glaucoma can cause a person to slowly lose their vision. This often starts with their peripheral vision, particularly the vision that is closest to the nose.

Because glaucoma progresses slowly, many people cannot tell that their vision is changing. As glaucoma becomes worse, a person may notice that they cannot see things off to the side anymore. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.

Typically, the first step for treating diabetes-related glaucoma involves managing blood sugar levels. If high pressure persists in the eye, there are a number of possible treatments for glaucoma. These include:

  • Eye drops: A person can use prescription eye drops. These drops can lower the pressure in the eye and help prevent damage to the optic nerve. This is the most common treatment for glaucoma.
  • Laser treatment: A surgeon can use lasers to stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, laser treatments can help drain the fluid out of the eye. This is a simple procedure that can take place in the doctor’s office.
  • Surgery: A doctor may suggest surgery for glaucoma if standard medications and laser treatment do not work. There are a number of types of surgery for glaucoma that can help drain fluid out of the eye to reduce pressure.

If a person has diabetes, they may be at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. This means they may wish to take steps to help prevent glaucoma from developing.

There are a number of steps a person can take to help reduce their risk of developing glaucoma, including:

  • Attending eye exams: Having regular dilated eye exams can help a person diagnose glaucoma early, allowing them to begin treatment. This is important, as prescription eye drops can help stop glaucoma from progressing.
  • Discussing glaucoma with family members: Glaucoma can be a hereditary condition and often does not display symptoms early on. This means it is important to talk with family members about the family’s eye health history.
  • Maintaining a moderate weight: Maintaining a moderate weight can play a role in reducing a person’s risk of developing glaucoma. This can also help a person with diabetes better manage their symptoms.
  • Controlling blood pressure: A person should monitor and manage their blood pressure to help reduce their risk of glaucoma. This will also help a person with diabetes manage their symptoms.
  • Being physically active: By being physically active, a person can help reduce their risk of glaucoma and manage their diabetes symptoms.
  • Avoiding smoking: Smoking can increase a person’s risk of diabetic retinopathy. A person should avoid smoking to reduce their risk of developing the condition.

Even if a person is not in a high risk group, they should still consider getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam at the age of 40 years. This exam can help diagnose glaucoma and other eye diseases early. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow glaucoma progression, reducing vision loss.

A dilated eye exam is a simple and painless procedure. During the exam, a doctor will administer some eye drops. These drops dilate, or widen, the pupil. The doctor can then check the eyes for glaucoma and other eye problems. The exam will also include a visual field test to check the person’s peripheral vision.

If someone notices their peripheral vision becoming blurry, they should speak with their doctor and arrange a dilated eye exam.

Diabetes is a condition that affects a person’s ability to process blood sugar. Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness. Evidence suggests that having diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy can then cause abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, which can block fluid from draining out of the eye. This can increase the pressure within the eye, which may damage the optic nerve. This damage may lead to the development of glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss.