Diabetes and Cataracts

If you have diabetes, it is very important to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding diet and blood sugar control in many ways. One of these is to prevent or postpone the development of cataracts as much as possible. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts, which significantly reduce vision quality, compared to those without diabetes.

Symptoms and Causes of Cataracts

In the case of cataracts, the lens inside the eye becomes hazy and opaque. The lens thickens and hardens. Light cannot pass through normally and cannot focus on the retina as it should. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. As a result, vision becomes blurry, distorted, or cloudy. Some people feel like they are looking through a yellowish fog. Cataracts usually occur as a result of age-related changes in the eye. However, long-term medication use, surgery, excessive sun exposure, and diseases can also contribute to the onset or development of cataracts. In addition to accelerating the progression of cataracts in adults, diabetes can also cause cataracts to appear earlier in younger people.

The Relationship Between Diabetes and Cataracts

So how does diabetes contribute to cataracts? The main factor here is sugar, or glucose. The lens of the eye obtains nutrients from the watery fluid in the front of the eye. This fluid provides oxygen and glucose to the lens. Glucose is a source of energy in the form of a simple sugar used by the body's cells. If your glucose levels are irregular, as in uncontrolled diabetes, sugar levels in this eye fluid and lens rise. High levels of glucose cause the lens to swell, reducing the clarity of vision. The lens also contains an enzyme that converts glucose into a substance called sorbitol. When sorbitol accumulates in the lens, it can affect cells and naturally occurring proteins. This reduces the transparency of the lens while increasing its opacity. This eventually leads to the formation of cataracts, and the person begins to see their surroundings in a paler and yellower way. Their eyes may also be uncomfortably dazzled.

What to Do to Prevent or Postpone Cataracts

To prevent the formation of cataracts, there are two very important steps you can take if you have diabetes. The first is to keep your blood sugar levels under constant control. Work closely with your doctor to keep your blood sugar levels at a healthy level. Balanced glucose levels will keep the lens of the eye clear and healthy.

Another thing you can do is to have regular eye exams. Your eye doctor can identify problematic changes in your eye before you experience any symptoms or notice a difference in your vision and can offer appropriate treatment recommendations. By taking these steps, you can prevent diabetes from taking your vision away from you.