I have diabetes – am I at higher risk for AMD?

Exploring the relationship between AMD and diabetes

Diabetes and its impact on eye health

Diabetes is typically associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR), a condition where high levels of blood sugar block the blood vessels in your eyes, causing new ones to form¹. These new blood vessels tend to be leaky, causing damage to the retina and/or optic nerve, thus impairing vision⁵.

But if you have diabetes, are you also at risk of developing other eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

Similar to diabetic retinopathy, AMD is a condition where the macula at the back of the retina starts to deteriorate, causing impairments in central vision, visual acuity and colour vision, greatly reducing quality of life². AMD is categorized into two types:

Dry AMD is the most common type and occurs when cells in the retina start to degenerate and die off, causing the macula to become thin and dry, which can impair its function².
Wet AMD is less common but much more severe and can develop from dry AMD at any stage². In this type, the eye starts to develop new, abnormal blood vessels which can bleed and leak fluid into the macula, causing scarring and greatly impairing vision².

Has research found a correlation between AMD and diabetes?

While many studies have tried to answer this question, researchers have come up with a lot of conflicting results – some finding that there is a correlation between diabetes and AMD while others have found no relationship^3,4,5. While scientists are still working to understand the relationship between the two, many studies have found common risk factors and pathways underlying AMD and DR, suggesting they’re related to one another.

Such relationships include:

1. AMD and diabetes are both associated with high levels of inflammation. In general, high blood sugar and diets high in refined carbohydrates have been associated with inflammation, which puts individuals at a greater risk for both diabetes and AMD^3,4,5.
1. Inflammation can affect the structure and function of retinal cells which are implicated in both AMD and DR. When inflammation occurs for a prolonged period of time, it can affect the structure of retinal cells and blood circulation in the eye, which can impact the body’s ability to clear waste buildups^3,4,5. Breakdown of these cells can lead to AMD and DR^3,4.
1. Waste buildups in retinal cells occur in both DR and AMD. Waste buildups in the retinal cells are associated with both AMD and DR^3,4,5. Although waste buildups don’t directly impact visual acuity, deposits tend to be associated with AMD and DR progression³.
1. Formation of new (leaky) blood vessels is important in the development of both DR and wet AMD. While the cause and source of new blood vessels differ between DR and wet AMD, both are influenced by a signal molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)^3,4. Importantly, these new blood vessels don’t form normally and often leak, which causes scarring in the eye and vision impairments². Further, anti-VEGF drugs have been effective in treating both wet AMD and DR which suggests there may be a link between wet AMD and DR^3,4.

How to reduce your risk of eye disease?

To mitigate your risk of developing either DR or AMD and protect against age-related vision loss, there are a few lifestyle changes and habits that you can adopt:

Have a balanced diet. In both AMD and DR, it’s important that individuals control their blood sugar and inflammation levels which can be achieved by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, sources of omega-3 fatty acids and monitoring your blood sugar levels if you have been diagnosed with diabetes^2,3.

Exercise regularly. It can help you maintain a healthy weight which is important since obesity is associated with inflammation, which can lead to eye disease^2,3,4,5.

Quit smoking. Smoking has been associated with a number of eye diseases including macular disease and is a risk factor for diabetes^2,6.

Have regular appointments with your eye doctor. Having regular eye appointments can help detect and treat eye disease before it has the chance to progress. Certain diseases like the early stages of AMD can be asymptomatic and only detected by an eye doctor³.

In the case of dry AMD, doctors often recommend certain treatments like MacuMira’s patented microcurrent delivery system to improve and treat the progression of dry AMD by stimulating the metabolism of waste products like drusen and lipofuscin, which are associated with the progression of the disease. In clinical trials, MacuMira Vision Therapy has been shown to improve and restore patients’ vision, with an average of eight letters of improvement on the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart (ETDRS).

Taking action for better eye health

Although the relationship between diabetes and AMD is not fully understood, maintaining a healthy blood sugar level and healthy lifestyle can improve your eye health and reduce your risk of developing either of these conditions.

If you’re committed to protecting and improving your vision, MacuMira Vision Therapy offers an innovative solution. When paired with a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, this advanced treatment can help you maintain and even enhance your eye health. Don’t wait—start supporting your vision today and see the difference it can make.

Contact us now to learn more about MacuMira Vision Therapy and how it can play a vital role in your journey to optimal eye health.

Disclaimer: Always speak to your primary health care provider and/or eye care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle, activities or diet.

I have diabetes – am I at higher risk for AMD?

Diabetes and its impact on eye health

Has research found a correlation between AMD and diabetes?

How to reduce your risk of eye disease?

Taking action for better eye health

References