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The human body gives out certain hidden signs to alert one of excessive sugar intake in the body, and poor eye health is one of them. Excessive consumption of refined sugar can affect one’s eyes adversely, leading to diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic eyes result from damaged blood vessels due to poorly controlled sugar levels. Here are the early signs that should prompt one to consult a doctor immediately to prevent further complications.

Signs of poor eye health due to excessive sugar
Excessive sugar intake can lead to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome. Diabetic retinopathy is marked by damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to sugar, while cataract gives a cloudy vision. Dry eye syndrome can cause problems with one’s tear production. Identifying the signs of poor eye health resulting from excess sugar consumption is crucial for early intervention. Therefore, look out for the following symptoms:

Blurred or fluctuating vision
The primary sign of vision issues due to unstable sugar levels is blurry vision. Excess sugar intake leads to fluids getting leaked into one’s eye lens.

Eye fatigue or discomfort
The eyes may feel tired, achy, or heavy, especially after prolonged screen time or visual tasks.

Increased sensitivity to light
Individuals experiencing poor eye health due to excess sugar consumption may notice heightened sensitivity to light, known as photophobia. Bright lights, sunlight, or even moderate lighting conditions may cause discomfort, leading to squinting or the need to shield the eyes.

Dry, itchy, or red eyes
Consuming excessive amounts of sugar can disrupt the delicate balance of tear production and composition, leading to dry eye syndrome. Dry eyes can feel gritty, itchy, or as if something is in the eye. The eyes may appear red or bloodshot due to irritation and inflammation.

Changes in the field of vision
Excess sugar intake can contribute to the development of floaters, dark strings, or spots in the field of vision. Floaters in the visual field appear as specks, cobweb-like strands, or dark spots that seem to drift across the field of vision. These floaters can be distracting and affect visual clarity. Excess sugar consumption may impair night vision in individuals with poor eye health.

Prevention and maintenance
To protect your eyes from the harmful effects of excess sugar intake, consider eating well-balanced meals full of fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables. If possible, one can eliminate or significantly reduce the consumption of processed foods and sugary treats like donuts, cakes, candies, and more. Be careful with multivitamin gummies since most may contain 2 to 8 grams of sugar per serving. One can instead opt for sugarless or sugar-free multivitamins. One can also consider adding a suitable exercise routine to one’s lifestyle to reduce excess sugar.
Additionally, one should also get one’s eyes checked by a specialist routinely to track any changes in one’s vision. This is especially advisable for those with diabetes. One should also control blood glucose levels per a healthcare professional’s guidance to reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Staying hydrated is another crucial factor that supports tear production and can help with dry eye. Additionally, it’s imperative to protect the eyes from the harsh UV rays by wearing sunglasses to avoid damaging them further.

By understanding the connection between sugar and poor eye health and taking proactive steps, individuals can improve their vision and overall health.