Eye Health

Protect Your Eyes

Knowledge and community are key to thriving with diabetes despite complications that may come our way. Most importantly, early detection by a professional could save your vision. Here are additional ways to be proactive in protecting your eye health.

Taking care of your eyes is important—and getting them checked is an important step. The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults with type 2 diabetes have their first eye exam when they are diagnosed and people with type 1 diabetes have their first eye exam within five years of diagnosis.

Eye health and safety tips:

When you’re having fun outdoors, remember these three simple tips to keep your eyes healthy.

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun—even on cloudy days.
Wear protective eyewear, such as safety glasses and goggles, to protect your eyes when playing sports, doing construction work, or doing home repairs.
Give your eyes a break every 20 minutes or so by taking in the scenery—look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Ways to Be Proactive About Protecting Your Vision

A woman rubs her eyes due to floaters in her vision from diabetes related eye disease

When to Be Concerned About Floaters in Your Vision

While anyone can develop this eye condition, floaters are more common in people with diabetes who have developed diabetes-related retinopathy or diabetes-related macular edema.

Learn About Floaters

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Computer Vision Syndrome

Get tips for how to minimize the impact of increased hours spent in front of the screen.

About Computer Vision Syndrome

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The Best Sunglasses for People with Diabetes

The right type of sunglasses can protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light damage from the sun. Here's what to look for in sunglasses.

Pick Your Sunglasses

Living with Low Vision

Low vision is a vision problem that makes it hard to do everyday activities. It can't be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or other standard treatments like medicine or surgery. While low vision is usually permanent, there are ways to help improve everyday activities.

Learn About Low Vision

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Keith's Eye Health Journey

Keith has lived with type 1 diabetes for 60 years. He has been diagnosed with diabetes-related retinopathy. Learn about his journey and read hist story.

Meet Keith

While my diabetes and eye health journey has had its ups and downs, the guidance I receive from my diabetes care team and the support I get from my family and friends has helped me stay on track.

Keith

Eye Health

Increasing Your Understanding of Diabetes and Eye Health

Watch our panel of eye health experts discuss the importance of diabetes-related eye care.

More About Eye Health

Take the Test

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Take the Retinopathy Risk Test

Take his free RetinaRisk™ calculator, you can better understand the risk factors, calculate your risk, and learn simple steps you can take to prevent vision loss.

Take the Test

Learn About Eye Disease

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Diabetes-Related Eye Diseases

Early diabetes-related eye disease often occurs before your vision is affected or you notice symptoms. Learn about common diabetes-related eye complications.

Learn About Eye Disease

Watch Now

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Ask the Experts

Hear from experts as they discuss eye disease and discover ways to manage eye health when living with diabetes with these past Ask the Experts events.