11/14/2025
Diabetes affects the blood vessels in your entire body, and the back of the eye is the only place in the body where an eye doctor can directly view the blood vessels and any impact diabetes may be having on them.
If left untreated, those with diabetes can develop a condition called diabetic retinopathy, where the blood vessels in your retina become damaged. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 29-74. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy often have no noticeable symptoms aside from changes in your vision.
Most diabetes-related vision issues can be prevented, but early detection is key, and an eye exam can do just that. A great place to start is by scheduling your annual eye exam.