Diabetes and cataracts

People living with diabetes are more at risk of developing eye disease, including cataracts.

Routine eye exams with your optometrist are the best way to spot early signs, even before symptoms begin, leading to faster treatment and better outcomes.

Learn more about the link between diabetes and cataracts and how you can support good eye health.

Cataracts¹ are clouding of the normally clear lens in the eye. This can cause symptoms such as vision loss, glare sensitivity and changes to your perception of colour. People with cataracts often describe their vision becoming more yellow or brown as the disease progresses.

There are different types of cataracts, but the most common is senile cataract, which is a normal part of ageing. Simply put, if you live long enough, you will get cataracts, though they may not affect your vision or life much at all.

Cataracts can also be caused by exposure to UV light, eye surgery and some medications.

People with diabetes are 3-5 times more likely to get cataracts than others. Cataracts occur on average 20 years earlier in people living with diabetes.²

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts because high blood glucose levels can speed up the usual changes we see in the structure of the lens of the eye as we age.

Cataracts can develop slowly over a long period of time and at first you may have no symptoms at all. That’s why regular check-ups with your optometrist are so important. An optometrist can see the changes in their early stages and recommend treatment if needed before vision starts to be affected.

If they do occur, symptoms of cataracts include:¹

• Blurred, cloudy or foggy vision
• Sensitivity to bright light, especially at night or while driving
• Halos around objects
• Seeing double or vision distortions
• Seeing a brown or yellow tinge.

Once clouding due to cataracts occurs, it will not go away or resolve itself.

While glasses may help correct some vision issues in the early stages of cataracts, eye surgery is the only way to remove the cataract and restore full vision. Once cataracts are removed, they cannot come back, meaning you will only need the surgery once in each affected eye.

Cataract surgery is usually very quick and painless.

For people living with diabetes the best way to reduce the risk of developing cataracts is by managing your diabetes. Speak to your doctor about how to do this.

Regular eye exams with your optometrist will increase the likelihood of spotting the condition early, before it impacts your vision and life. Tell your optometrist if you have diabetes or a family history of cataracts. If cataracts are seen by your optometrist, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist who will recommend treatment or surgery where appropriate.

All eye disease risks can be reduced by looking after your eyes. Wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight, staying active, eating lots of healthy fruits and veg and not smoking all help to support healthy eyes.