Understanding the truth behind diabetes and eye health is vital for preventing vision loss. Here are the most common myths and facts you should know:
Myth 1: Diabetes is just sugar in the blood; eyes are unaffected.
Fact: Diabetes can affect any part of the eye—from eyelids to retina.
Damage may range from mild, asymptomatic changes to complete blindness.
Myth 2: Eyes are safe when diabetes is well controlled.
Fact: Even normal blood sugar values do not eliminate eye risks.
Duration of diabetes, blood pressure, kidney issues, and other comorbidities contribute to eye damage.
Myth 3: No diabetic retinopathy today means no future checks needed.
Fact: A healthy retina now does not guarantee future safety.
Diabetes can cause new retinal damage within months.
Annual retinal exams help detect changes early and prevent vision loss.
Myth 4: Once diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, vision loss is inevitable.
Fact: Early detection and timely management can almost entirely prevent blindness.
Mild diabetic retinopathy can sometimes regress completely with proper care.
Myth 5: Eye exams are needed only when symptoms appear.
Fact: Most vision-threatening diabetic eye diseases develop silently.
By the time symptoms occur, permanent retinal damage may have already happened.
Diabetics have a twofold higher risk of glaucoma, a silent cause of vision loss.
Myth 6: Diabetic eye disease affects only the elderly.
Fact: Any age can be affected, including young adults.
Eye issues include styes, dry eyes, fluctuating vision, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and early cataracts.
Myth 7: One treatment session protects the retina for life.
Fact: Diabetic retinopathy is an ongoing condition.
Lifelong monitoring is essential, even after successful initial treatment, to detect and address new changes promptly.
Conclusion: Regular eye exams, early detection, and timely care are crucial to prevent vision loss in diabetes. Myths should never delay screening or treatment.
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