Finding cancer early can save your life—schedule your screenings today.
Posted 03/03/25
Diabetes can take your sight—what you can do.
Prevent Vision Loss from Retinopathy
Eye disease is a common occurrence in people with diabetes. Some risks include:
» Earlier onset of cataracts
» More frequent occurrences of glaucoma
» Diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease where high blood sugars damage blood vessels in the retina
Diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss and blindness if untreated. In 2021, 9.6 million people in the U.S. were affected, making it the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.
Symptoms often only appear in later stages of this disease, so regular eye exams are key to finding and treating it early. If you have diabetes, don’t wait until you notice vision changes before you start having regular diabetic eye exams.
What Can You Do To Prevent or Slow Progression?
» Get an annual diabetic eye exam that includes screening for retinopathy. Your plan covers an in-network diabetic eye exam with a $0 copay. To find a network eye doctor near you, visit Find a Provider or call Member Services at 1-800-530-1021.
» Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in check by discussing goals with your doctor. Regularly get your A1c tested and check your blood pressure at home.
» Quit smoking. Smoking also causes damage to blood vessels.
Learn more about diabetes and vision health: www.cdc.gov/vision-health-data/prevalence-estimates/dr-prevalence.html
