Why Blood Sugar Control Matters for Your Eyes

Hannah Nunn
Jul 23
2 min read

And how steady energy supports better vision

When most people think about blood sugar, they think about diabetes—not eye health.

But what if I told you that managing your blood sugar could be one of the most powerful things you can do to protect your vision?

In this post, we’re exploring the link between blood sugar and AMD—and why balancing it is one of the first steps I take with almost every client.

What Does Blood Sugar Have to Do with Your Eyes?

Your blood sugar levels affect how much glucose is circulating in your bloodstream—and when that level is consistently high, it does more than just cause energy crashes.

It damages your blood vessels. And your eyes are full of tiny, delicate blood vessels.

Over time, unstable blood sugar can lead to:

Chronic inflammation
Oxidative stress
Poor circulation to the retina
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Increased VEGF activity (linked to wet AMD)
Faster progression of macular degeneration

Even if you don’t have diabetes, your blood sugar can still be an issue.

It’s the swings—from spike to crash—that silently do damage over time.

Why the Eyes Are So Vulnerable

The retina is a highly active, energy-hungry tissue that depends on a steady supply of nutrients and oxygen to function properly.

When blood sugar spikes:

The retina becomes inflamed and stressed
Energy production becomes less efficient
Repair and waste clearance slow down
Key cells like the RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) start to fail

And because the eye’s blood vessels are so fine and fragile, they’re often the first to show signs of damage—even before you feel anything is wrong.

How Do You Know If Blood Sugar Might Be a Problem?

You don’t need a diagnosis of diabetes to be affected by blood sugar issues.

Many of my AMD clients have:

Energy crashes mid-morning or mid-afternoon
Strong sugar or carb cravings
Brain fog after meals
Difficulty losing weight
Belly fat or bloating
Feeling tired after eating

These can all be signs of poor blood sugar regulation—even if your doctor says your bloodwork is “normal.”

What Does Balancing Blood Sugar Look Like?

Blood sugar balance is about making sure your meals create steady energy, rather than a spike-and-crash rollercoaster.

Some first steps I often recommend:

Prioritise protein and include healthy fats at each meal
Avoid ultra-processed carbs like white bread, cereal bars, and pastries
Eat fewer refined carbs, especially in the morning
Include non-starchy veg for fibre and antioxidants
Watch your portions of rice, bread, pasta, and potatoes—especially when eaten alone
Don’t graze all day—allow time between meals for insulin to settle

Balancing blood sugar also means supporting your mitochondria, reducing inflammation, and giving your retina the steady fuel it needs to repair and function well.

A Final Thought

If you’ve been told there’s nothing you can do for AMD—or if you’re already doing all the “eye” things like taking supplements and eating your greens—but you haven’t looked at blood sugar yet… this might be the missing link. It’s one of the simplest, most impactful changes you can make.