Your glasses don’t seem to work as well lately. Your vision is clear one day and blurry the next. Could blood sugar have something to do with it? Sometimes, yes.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and the connection between vision and blood sugar is worth understanding. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), blurred or fluctuating vision can be a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. These changes can have many causes, so an annual comprehensive eye exam can help determine what’s happening.

High blood sugar can change fluid levels in the eye’s lens, affecting its shape and ability to focus. This can cause temporary blurriness that may improve as blood sugar becomes controlled. It does not automatically mean permanent damage has occurred.

Vision changes may also occur alongside other symptoms. The AOA identifies increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unexplained weight changes and slow-healing wounds as possible signs of diabetes. If you notice these changes, share them with your primary care provider. Mention vision changes to your doctor of optometry, too.

A comprehensive eye exam can sometimes provide the first clue that someone has diabetes. By examining the retina, your doctor may identify blood vessel changes associated with the condition. These findings can prompt a referral for blood testing. An eye exam can raise suspicion, but medical testing is needed to confirm a diabetes diagnosis.

For people already living with diabetes, there is another distinction to understand. Diabetic Retinopathy develops when diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It can develop without noticeable symptoms, which is why clear vision alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

The AOA recommends a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least annually for people with diabetes. Managing blood sugar and following your recommended eye care schedule can help protect your vision over time.

This November, bring your questions to your Colorado doctor of optometry, or find one here! Whether you’ve noticed a change or simply want to understand the connection, a conversation about your vision can offer useful insight into your overall health.

Halloween arrives with a flicker and glow,
With costumes and candy and creatures in tow.
We paint on a scar. We darken an eye.
We become someone else for one night in disguise.

And sometimes the costume needs one final prize:
A brand-new pair of very strange eyes.
Red ones. White ones. Cat-eye green.
Blackout lenses fit for a scream.

They may look harmless, dramatic and neat,
But science says danger can hide underneath.
Keep reading, we promise the jargon won’t bite,
A minute of science could help save your sight

Decorative contacts are medical devices, it’s true,
Even if seeing more clearly is not what they do.
They rest on the cornea, transparent and clear,
A delicate surface we’d rather not sear.

If a lens fits too tightly, sits crooked or wrong,
Your cornea may not tolerate it for long.
A scratch can become a corneal abrasion,
And bacteria love that kind of invitation.

An infection can follow, an ulcer can grow,
And suddenly spooky has sunk pretty low.
Poor fit, dirty lenses or improper care
Can cause infection, scarring and vision impairment there.

And yes, even if your vision is twenty-twenty and bright,
You still need a prescription to fit them just right.
Because prescriptions aren’t only about what you can see,
They consider your eye’s shape, health and anatomy.

So zombie-white lenses or vampire red
Should come from a seller who checks your prescription instead.
If they’ll sell you contacts with barely a care,
No fitting? No prescription?
Consider that a scare.

And your friend’s werewolf lenses may look divine,
But their microorganisms do not belong in your eyes.
Never share lenses. Never use spit.
Never rinse them in tap water and call that “clean enough” for it. 

Use clean hands, proper solution and care,
Because microbes at Halloween are already everywhere.
Then listen closely if your eyes start to shout:
Pain. Redness. Blurring.
Take those contacts out.

Sensitivity to light? Discharge? Burning that stays?
Those may be signs of infection, not part of the haze.
Call your optometrist if symptoms persist,
Because permanent vision loss is one twist we can skip.

So wear the fangs.
Paint the face.
Make your entrance a sight.
Just make sure those spooky eyes are fitted right.

Are we clear on what you should do?
Get a prescription.
Buy from a trusted source too.
Let Halloween fright the people…
And let your contacts take care of you.

References 

1. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/contact-lens-care

Fall is here and sports season is officially in full swing.

Cleats are laced, uniforms fit and countless hours have been logged practicing in the backyard or driveway. But before the first whistle blows, it’s worth asking: Did we check everything?

We spend plenty of time making sure young athletes are physically ready. We schedule sports physicals, buy the right gear and map out strength training. But their eyes deserve that exact same attention.

Why Vision is the Ultimate Gear

An athlete’s eyes are hard at work the second the game starts. They are tracking a fast-moving ball, judging distances, scanning the court or field and reacting in milliseconds. According to the American Optometric Association¹, clear distance vision, depth perception, peripheral awareness and eye-hand coordination are just as important as any physical skill². This is precisely why kids need to learn to speak up for their vision.

If something changes, they need to know it’s not normal. Maybe the ball looks a little blurrier than last season. Maybe it’s harder to track under the lights or judge how far away a teammate is. Because vision changes happen slowly, kids often assume it’s just the way things are. Teaching them to notice when something feels off – and to tell a parent or coach – is a huge part of teaching them how to take care of their bodies.

Protecting the Vision They Rely On

For athletes who already wear glasses or contacts, the job isn’t done. Everyday glasses aren’t built to handle the impact of a game, and contact lenses offer zero physical protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics³ recommends sport-appropriate protective eyewear, tailored specifically to the demands of the game. Your optometrist’s office can help fit your athlete for the perfect protective eyewear.

We ask a lot of young athletes. We train them, strengthen them and teach them to listen to their bodies when something hurts. Let’s make sure their eyes get the same level of care.

This season, let’s keep vision in the playbook. If you haven’t already, book an annual comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist near you, and find the protective eyewear that will make a slam dunk.

For more information on the visual skills athletes rely on and how to keep their eyes safe, check out the American Optometric Association’s Sports & Performance Vision Resource Page.

References 

1. https://www.aoa.org/practice/specialties/sports-and-performance-vision
2. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/visual-acuity?
3. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/does-my-child-need-eye-protection-for-sports.aspx