Can Diabetes Increase Your Risk of Developing Glaucoma?

Living with diabetes means paying close attention to your overall health - but your vision deserves just as much care. Diabetes can quietly increase your risk for serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Because glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms, many people are unaware of the risk until damage has already occurred.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when damage to the optic nerve gradually reduces vision. Because glaucoma typically develops slowly and without early symptoms, many people don’t realize they have it until vision loss has already begun. Once lost, vision from glaucoma cannot be restored, making early detection critical.

How Diabetes Raises the Risk of Glaucoma

Research shows that people with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of developing glaucoma than those without diabetes. Several factors contribute to this increased risk:

• Damage to blood vessels: Diabetes can harm small blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply the optic nerve, making it more vulnerable to damage.

• Higher eye pressure: Diabetes may interfere with the eye’s ability to drain fluid properly, leading to elevated intraocular pressure - a major risk factor for glaucoma.

• Inflammation and oxidative stress: Chronic high blood sugar can trigger inflammatory changes that further compromise eye health.

Because these changes often occur silently, individuals with diabetes may develop glaucoma without noticing any warning signs.

The Importance of Regular Diabetic Eye Exams

Routine diabetic eye exams are one of the most effective ways to catch glaucoma early. During these comprehensive exams, your eye doctor can:

• Measure eye pressure

• Examine the optic nerve for early signs of damage

• Check peripheral vision

• Detect other diabetes-related eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, or cataracts

Early diagnosis allows for timely treatment - such as medicated eye drops, laser therapy, or other interventions - that can slow or stop vision loss.

Stay Ahead of Diabetes-Related Eye Disease at Downtown Vision

Diabetes can increase your risk of developing glaucoma, but vision loss is not inevitable. With consistent eye exams, glaucoma can be detected early and managed effectively. Proactive eye care is one of the best steps you can take to protect your sight and maintain your quality of life.

If you have diabetes, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Schedule your diabetic eye exam with Downtown Vision and take an important step toward safeguarding your vision from glaucoma. Please call our Reno office at (775) 322-4061 or our Carson City office at  (775) 883-3977 to book an appointment today.