As we get older, our risk of developing chronic health conditions goes up. Some of these conditions, like type 2 diabetes, may have connections to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). About 4 percent of adults over 45 who are diagnosed with diabetes also have AMD.

Although scientists aren’t sure how these conditions are connected, there are some facts you should know if you live with either AMD or type 2 diabetes. Equipped with that knowledge, you can make choices that will help you feel your best and enjoy your life as much as possible.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes (or diabetes mellitus) is a medical condition where you have too much sugar, or glucose, in your blood. Your body may not produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Also, your body may not respond properly to the insulin in your bloodstream.

If you have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) for a while, it starts to affect other parts of your body, including your nervous system, immune system, and circulatory system. Your eyes can also be affected.

Type 2 Diabetes and Your Eyes

A number of eye conditions are associated with type 2 diabetes. High blood glucose levels can affect the retina, the nerve tissue that lines the back of your eye. The retina senses light and sends it to your brain. High blood glucose levels can cause small blood vessels in the retina to leak, making it swell. Your retina may try to grow new blood vessels to replace these damaged ones, which can cause additional problems.

The diabetes-related eye condition that is most closely connected to age-related macular degeneration is diabetic retinopathy. In this condition, damaged blood vessels harm the retina. If the retina is damaged, you may have vision loss or other vision problems.

It’s important to note that AMD can be misdiagnosed as diabetic retinopathy, especially in people who are already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It’s unknown exactly how often this happens. However, if you have type 2 diabetes and start to have changes in your vision, ask your eye doctor questions to make sure you get the right diagnosis.

Other eye diseases common in people with diabetes include glaucoma and cataracts.

Shared Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

AMD and type 2 diabetes share some risk factors.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• Being older than 35
• Not living an active lifestyle
• Being overweight
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Smoking
• Having a diet high in sugar, certain fats, processed carbohydrates, and red meat
• Having hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Being African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Islander

According to BrightFocus Foundation, risk factors for AMD:

• Getting older
• Being physically inactive
• Being diagnosed with obesity
• Having a family history of AMD
• Smoking
• Eating a diet high in fat, cholesterol, and foods that raise blood sugar quickly
• Having high blood pressure
• Being female
• Being Caucasian
• Having light-colored eyes

Many of these risk factors overlap. It’s easy to see how someone could develop both type 2 diabetes and AMD, even if there’s not a clear connection between the two. It’s also possible to have two medical conditions independently, where one does not cause the other. This happens more frequently with conditions that share risk factors, like type 2 diabetes and AMD.

Is Type 2 Diabetes a Risk Factor for AMD?

The general consensus is that having type 2 diabetes raises the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

One large study reviewed many smaller studies. It found that diabetes is a risk factor for AMD, particularly for late AMD. However, researchers acknowledged that many of the studies they reviewed were not designed well enough to be certain about this conclusion.

Another study found that diabetes was associated with an increased risk of early AMD. In this study, researchers made sure that the connection was between diabetes and AMD and that AMD was not linked to other causes.

Yet another study showed that having diabetes for more than five years raised a person’s risk of developing AMD. These researchers also found that people who needed insulin for their diabetes and those living with diabetic retinopathy were more likely to be diagnosed with AMD.

These associations seem to go only in one direction — having diabetes raises the risk for AMD, but having AMD does not seem to be a risk factor for diabetes.

Questions Yet To Be Answered

Studies haven’t answered all of the questions about AMD and diabetes. More research is needed to find out:

• How diabetes raises your risk of age-related macular degeneration
• How long you have to live with diabetes before it raises your risk of AMD
• Whether diabetes is a risk factor for dry AMD, wet AMD, or both
• Whether diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, or both are risk factors for AMD

While it seems that diabetes is a risk factor for at least some types of AMD, we don’t understand the connection entirely. Also, research has not found proof yet that AMD is not a risk factor for diabetes. Many questions remain. Hopefully, future research will provide the answers.

Talk to Your Doctor

No matter what health conditions you’re living with, it’s important to talk to your ophthalmology team about any changes to your vision. Get an appointment right away so you can get an accurate diagnosis. Then, you can find a treatment plan that works for you.

Managing Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Type 2 Diabetes

If you’re concerned about AMD and type 2 diabetes, the good news is there are actions you can take. Making some lifestyle changes can help prevent or slow the progress of both conditions and improve your quality of life.

Changes that can benefit both AMD and diabetes include:

• Improve your diet. Eat more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Stop smoking. If you don’t smoke, avoid secondhand smoke.
• Get active. Add physical activity that feels good and is safe for your body.

Also, talk to your doctor or ophthalmologist about medications. There are many medications for both type 2 diabetes and AMD. While they don’t overlap much, treating both conditions separately can help you feel better and enjoy your life more.

In addition, other therapies for AMD can slow changes to your vision. You and your health care provider can decide which ones are right for you. You may have to follow up several times to make sure your treatment is working well.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myAMDteam, the social network for people with age-related macular degeneration and their loved ones, members who understand life with AMD come together to share support, advice, and stories from their daily lives.

Are you living with both age-related macular degeneration and type 2 diabetes? Which did you develop first? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.