Diabetes & Your Eyes

Many people aren’t aware that diabetes affects eyesight, but in fact, diabetes-related eye disease is the leading cause of vision loss in adults.

The small vessels of the eye require a lot of oxygen to work effectively. With diabetics, the blood is not as oxygen-rich, and this weakens the vessels in the eyes. Over time, this can lead to diabetic retinopathy, where the damaged blood vessels in the retina begin to leak and scar.

There are many other kinds of diabetic eye diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic macular edema (DME), and diabetic cataracts.

The key to preventing diabetic eye disease is educating yourself about diabetes and its complications, and having your eyes checked on a regular basis. If you’re a diabetic experiencing eye discomfort or discoloration, give us a call toll-free at 905-457-4700 to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our optometrists.