Beyond Blood Sugar: The Connection Between Diabetes and Your Eyes and Smile

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Beyond Blood Sugar: The Connection Between Diabetes and Your Eyes and Smile
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Home » Blogs » Beyond Blood Sugar: The Connection Between Diabetes and Your Eyes and Smile

Diabetes can affect more than your blood sugar — it can also cause problems to your vision and oral health.  

Diabetes and Vision: Diabetes puts you more at risk for diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma and cataracts. These conditions can happen from damaged blood vessels in the eyes — a result of high blood sugar.  

Diabetes and Oral Health: High blood sugar weakens white blood cells, the body’s main defense against bacterial infections, leading to inflammation and dental problems. If you have gum disease, the swelling in your gums can also raise your blood sugar, making diabetes harder to control. 

What can you do? 

  • See your eye doctor for a full exam to spot early signs of vision problems. 
  • Visit your dentist regularly to help find warning signs and reduce the risk of issues caused by gum disease. 
  • Manage your blood sugar levels. 
  • Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol by eating a healthy diet and exercising. 
  • Stop smoking. 
Sources: Diabetes and Gum Disease, leaving site icon American Diabetes Association, 2025; Diabetes and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know, leaving site icon Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025 

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