However, most people with AMD retain a reasonable amount of peripheral vision and can learn to make the most of their remaining vision. You may also develop problems seeing in bright sunlight or glare, and find it harder to adapt from dark to light conditions. You may need reading glasses, bifocal glasses, or bifocal contact lenses to help you focus better. You may experience light sensitivity, blurry vision, and distorted colors. Studies suggest that antioxidants in the diet may lower risk for developing cataracts.
Smoking also contributes to the development of cataracts.
Your vision may become blurred and night vision impaired. All people with diabetes should have an eye exam with dilated pupils at least once a year. Laser surgery can help shrink abnormal vessels in the early stages of the disease. It can be diagnosed with a tonometer test to measure pressure in the eye, by dilating the pupil to look at the optic nerve, and by visual field testing. Glaucoma often can be treated with eye drops to reduce elevated pressure or sometimes by laser or conventional surgery.