Smoking, diabetes and your eye health

Looking after your eyes is about more than clear vision. If you have diabetes and smoke, stopping smoking can help protect your sight. Eating a balanced diet, managing your diabetes and keeping up with eye examinations and diabetic eye screening all play a part in looking after your health.

How smoking and diabetes affect your eyes

·       Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. Smoking can make diabetes-related eye damage worse and increase the risk of sight loss.

·       Cataracts and macular degeneration. Smoking increases your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can affect your vision.

·       Managing diabetes. Smoking can make blood glucose levels harder to manage. Your diabetes care team can help you look after your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Eat well to support your diabetes care

There is no special “diabetic diet”. A varied, balanced diet can help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol — important parts of reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications, including eye problems.

·       Add colour to your meals. Enjoy a variety of vegetables and whole fruit. Fresh, frozen and tinned options all count. Choose whole fruit rather than juice or smoothies.

·       Choose higher-fibre carbohydrates. Try oats, wholegrain bread or wholewheat pasta. Portion sizes matter too, as carbohydrate foods affect blood glucose levels.

·       Make simple swaps. Choose water or unsweetened drinks instead of sugary drinks, include beans, lentils or fish in meals, and cut back on foods high in salt and saturated fat.

Small, sustainable changes are a good place to start. Ask your diabetes care team or a registered dietitian for advice tailored to your needs, especially before making major dietary changes if you use insulin or other diabetes medicines. Healthy eating complements — rather than replaces — your prescribed treatment and regular eye care. Explore healthy eating advice from Diabetes UK.

How we help you look after your sight

Early diabetic eye changes may not cause symptoms. Our eye examinations check your vision and overall eye health, alongside the care you receive from your diabetes team.

·       Eye examinations. We check your prescription and look for signs of conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular changes. Ask our team about NHS-funded eye care and your eligibility.

·       Retinal imaging. Ask us about retinal photography and OCT scans, and whether they are appropriate for you.

·       Care alongside diabetic eye screening. A routine eye examination does not replace your diabetic eye screening appointment. Keep attending when invited, even if your vision seems fine. Learn about diabetic eye screening.

Take the next step

·       Book an eye examination. Contact our team to arrange your appointment or ask about retinal imaging. We’re happy to talk through your eye care needs.

·       Get support to stop smoking. You do not have to do it alone. Speak to your GP or pharmacist, or visit Help Me Quit for free NHS stop-smoking support in Wales.

Noticed a change in your vision?

If you have diabetes and your vision suddenly worsens or becomes blurred, seek urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111. Do not wait for your next routine appointment.