What Causes Blurred Vision in Diabetics?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that over time affects the organ systems of the body. It is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults ranging from 20 to 74 years old, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Time Frame

• The first sign of eye vision problems is blurred vision. It usually occurs in diabetics who have had the disease for five or more years.

Causes

• The first cause of blurred vision is high blood sugar. The high blood sugar pulls fluid from the lenses of the eyes affecting focus, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Complications

• If the blood sugar is not treated and stabilized, complications with vision continue, resulting in diabetic retinopathy.

Retinopathy

• Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye's blood vessels. Blurred vision increases when fluid from the blood vessels leaks into the retina. Eyes become red and achy.

Warning

• If blood sugar is not stabilized, shadows occur in the vision, floaters emerge in the vision and eventually blindness develops.