The Hidden Link Between Diabetes and Cataracts: What You Need to Know

Did you know that if you’re living with diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of developing cataracts earlier than most? At Trinidad Eye Hospital, we’re noticing cataracts among younger diabetic patients. It’s a growing concern that can no longer be ignored.

Our Chief Eye Surgeon and Retina Specialist, Dr. Ronnie Bhola, recently spoke out about this trend, explaining how diabetes accelerates cataract formation and increases the risk of other serious eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, both of which can lead to vision loss if left untreated.

So, What Exactly Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are like a foggy window in your eye. They cloud the lens, making it harder to see clearly. It’s a natural part of ageing for many people, but here’s the kicker: if you have diabetes, cataracts can show up earlier and progress faster.

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What Are the Signs?

If you notice any of these symptoms, it might be time to get your eyes checked:

• Blurry or cloudy vision

• Trouble seeing at night

• Sensitivity to light

• Seeing halos around lights

• Fading or yellowing of colours

How Does Diabetes Cause Cataracts?

To understand the connection between diabetes and cataracts, let’s look at what’s happening inside the eye.

When someone has diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. As a result, blood sugar levels remain high, and this excess glucose enters the lens of the eye. Inside the lens, the glucose is converted into sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that causes the lens to swell and become cloudy, a classic sign of cataract development.

Dr. Bhola points out that in diabetic patients, these cataracts often form at the back of the lens, near a key area called the posterior capsule, where light is supposed to pass through to reach the retina. When this area becomes clouded, it can severely disrupt vision, even earlier than in non-diabetic patients.

Are Cataracts Treatable for People living with Diabetes?

The good news? Cataracts are treatable with surgery. But for diabetic patients, surgery can be more complex. Why? Because diabetes affects the entire eye, not just the lens.

It’s common for our diabetic patients to also have conditions like:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: abnormal blood vessel growth that can bleed and blur vision.

• Diabetic Maculopathy: swelling in the macula (central retina) that causes distorted or blurry sight.

These complications can limit the success of cataract surgery or require additional treatment, such as eye injections to control macular swelling, something that understandably makes many patients anxious. That’s why early diagnosis and blood sugar management are essential to improving long-term outcomes.

Why Is Diabetes a Growing Concern for Eye Health?

According to Dr. Bhola, the rise in diabetes cases in Trinidad and globally is driven by unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and limited access to healthy food options, especially for lower-income communities. Today, 60% of patients at our hospital are diabetic. This means more people are at a higher risk of developing vision-threatening complications if their condition isn’t managed carefully.

If You Are Living with Diabetes, What Can You Do to Protect Your Vision?

If you or someone you love is living with diabetes, take proactive steps to protect your eyes:

• Control your blood sugar and blood pressure – Stable levels reduce the risk of cataract progression and other complications.

• Quit smoking –Smoking doubles the risk of diabetic eye disease.

• Incorporate exercise into your routine – Even light activity improves overall health.

• Track your HbA1c with your GP – It gives a clearer picture of your glucose control over time.

• Visit your eye care professional regularly – Early signs can be detected and managed before they worsen.

As Dr. Bhola says, “Early action leads to better outcomes.”

A Call for Systemic Change

While patient education is crucial, Dr. Bhola emphasises the need for wider action from schools to public policy. He advocates for:

• Better education on diabetes and nutrition starting in schools.

• Stronger regulation of advertising, promoting unhealthy foods.

• Making healthy foods more affordable, so everyone can make better choices without financial burden.

Don’t Wait, Get Screened

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you’re destined for vision problems, but it does mean you need to be proactive. Cataracts might be common, but with the right care, they don’t have to cloud your future.

At Trinidad Eye Hospital, we offer comprehensive diabetic eye screenings to help catch issues early. If you're living with diabetes and haven’t had an eye exam recently, now is the time.

Book your appointment today and let us help you stay one step ahead of vision loss. Your sight is worth protecting.