Have you ever wondered how diabetes affects your vision—or what you can do to protect and correct it? November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month, a vital time to raise awareness about how diabetes can impact your eyes and how vision correction treatments can help preserve and even restore your sight.
At Pacific Eye Surgeons, with locations in San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Orcutt, and Paso Robles, our specialists are dedicated to providing advanced diabetic eye care and personalized vision correction options. Whether you’re managing diabetes or supporting a loved one who is, understanding how to safeguard your vision is key to maintaining lifelong eye health.
What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can affect people with diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye—leading to vision changes or loss.
The most common types include:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to retinal blood vessels, leading to vision distortion or blindness if untreated.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Swelling in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens, often occurring earlier in people with diabetes.
- Glaucoma: Increased eye pressure that damages the optic nerve, sometimes linked with diabetes.
How Does Diabetes Affect Vision?
When blood sugar levels stay high, it can lead to swelling, leakage, or blockage in the eye’s blood vessels. These changes can cause blurred vision, floaters, or even sudden vision loss.
Common symptoms of diabetic eye disease include:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or empty areas in vision
- Poor night vision
- Faded or washed-out colors
Tip: Even if your vision seems fine, damage can begin without noticeable symptoms. That’s why annual comprehensive eye exams are critical for early detection and treatment.
Can Vision Be Corrected with Diabetic Eye Disease?
Absolutely — but timing is everything. The earlier diabetic eye disease is detected, the more options patients have to preserve, protect, and improve their vision. At Pacific Eye Surgeons, our team provides comprehensive retina, glaucoma, and cataract services to ensure diabetic patients receive the most appropriate care at every stage of their eye health journey.
1. Glasses and Contact Lenses
In the early stages of diabetic vision changes, eyeglasses or contact lenses can help stabilize fluctuating sight caused by shifts in blood sugar levels. Our team provides precise prescriptions and individualized fittings, ensuring clarity and comfort while supporting overall vision health.
2. Advanced Retina Care & Laser Treatments
Diabetes often affects the retina first, making retina services essential for protecting long-term vision. For patients with diabetic retinopathy, laser therapy (photocoagulation) can seal leaking blood vessels or shrink abnormal growths. This treatment helps slow disease progression, reduce swelling, and preserve central vision. Pacific Eye Surgeons uses state-of-the-art retinal imaging and diagnostic tools to monitor eye health and intervene early.
3. Injections and Medication for Retinal Disease
Along with laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections (such as Eylea®, Lucentis®, or Avastin®) are highly effective in treating diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. These medications help reduce swelling, prevent new abnormal blood vessel growth, and support better visual outcomes.
4. Cataract Surgery for Clearer Vision
Diabetes increases the risk of cataracts—and often at an earlier age. When cataracts cause cloudy or blurry vision, modern cataract surgery offers a safe and effective solution. Our cataract specialists at Pacific Eye Surgeons replace the clouded natural lens with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL), restoring sharper, brighter vision and enhancing quality of life.
5. Glaucoma Management & Treatment
People with diabetes are at a higher risk for glaucoma, a condition that causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Pacific Eye Surgeons provides comprehensive glaucoma screening, monitoring, and treatment, including medication, laser procedures, and advanced surgical options. Early glaucoma detection is critical for diabetic patients, as managing eye pressure can prevent significant vision loss.
6. Vitrectomy Surgery for Advanced Retina Conditions
In more severe cases—such as retinal bleeding, scar tissue buildup, or retinal detachment—vitrectomy surgery may be required. This delicate procedure removes the vitreous gel and scar tissue, helping restore or stabilize vision. Our experienced retina team is skilled in treating even the most advanced diabetic eye complications.
5 Common Questions About Vision Correction and Diabetes
1. How often should I have an eye exam if I have diabetes?
At least once a year. However, your ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent exams if signs of diabetic retinopathy or other complications are detected.
2. Can vision lost from diabetic retinopathy be restored?
While some vision loss may be permanent, early detection and treatment can prevent further damage and, in some cases, restore some visual clarity.
3. Are LASIK or refractive surgeries safe for diabetics?
Not everyone with diabetes is a candidate for LASIK. It depends on blood sugar stability and retinal health. Pacific Eye Surgeons can perform a detailed assessment to determine your eligibility.
4. What lifestyle changes help protect my eyes?
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in check.
- Quit smoking and maintain a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
5. Can diabetic eye disease affect both eyes?
Yes, it often impacts both eyes, although not always equally. Regular monitoring helps detect changes before they affect your daily life.
Patient Testimonial
“The doctor was kind, knowledgeable, and explained everything clearly. The visit was reassuring, thorough, and left me feeling confident in the care provided. With multiple convenient locations, the team delivers excellent service across offices.“
“I visited Dr. Oh for the first time today in hopes of establishing care with her and her associates. She was amazing! She easily gathered all the information she needed to help me and her, understand my eye diagnoses and referred me to the appropriate doctor. She is very kind and gentle with her care! I am going to have my husband come see her!“
Why Choose Pacific Eye Surgeons for Vision Correction?
At Pacific Eye Surgeons, our team combines advanced diagnostic technology with personalized treatment plans to protect and correct vision for individuals living with diabetes.
We specialize in:
- Retina and diabetic eye disease management
- Laser and surgical eye care
- Advanced cataract and refractive procedures
- Comprehensive eye exams and vision care
Whether you live in San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Lompoc, or Orcutt, our conveniently located offices ensure you have access to world-class eye care close to home.
How to Protect and Preserve Your Vision
Here are some proactive steps you can take today:
- Schedule annual eye exams — even if your vision feels normal.
- Monitor your blood sugar to prevent damage to retinal vessels.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan for diabetes management.
- Report any vision changes immediately to your eye doctor.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, omega-3s, and antioxidants.
These small, consistent actions can make a significant difference in preserving your sight over time.
Don’t Forget to Use Your FSA Funds Before They Expire
If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), now is the perfect time to use those benefits before the year ends. FSA funds can typically be used for:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Retina imaging and diagnostic testing
- Treatments for diabetic eye diseases
- Prescription eyewear and contact lenses
Most FSA benefits expire on December 31st, and unused funds do not carry over into the next year. Don’t let your hard-earned money go to waste—invest it in something that truly matters: your eye health and clear vision.
Take Control of Your Vision Today
Your eyes deserve expert care. If you have diabetes or are at risk, don’t wait until symptoms appear—schedule a diabetic eye exam today with Pacific Eye Surgeons. Our trusted team across San Luis Obispo County and the Central Coast is ready to help you see clearly and live fully.
