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Beyond Blood Sugar: The Connection Between Diabetes, Our Eyes and Smile

Nov. 25, 2025

(Applies to all groups*)

Diabetes can affect more than blood sugar — it can also cause problems to vision and oral health.

Diabetes and vision: Diabetes puts a person more at risk for diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, glaucoma and cataracts. These conditions can happen from damaged blood vessels in the eyes — a result of high blood sugar.

Diabetes and oral health: High blood sugar weakens white blood cells, the body’s main defense against bacterial infections, leading to inflammation and dental problems. If you have gum disease, the swelling in the gums can also raise blood sugar, making diabetes harder to control.

How we help members:

  • Our BlueCare VisionSM Diabetic Eye Care Benefit — available for groups with 500+ lives — allows members to receive an annual comprehensive vision exam and additional vision exams every six months, along with access to other necessary diagnostic tests.
     
  • Our BlueCare Dental Enhanced BenefitSM may cover an additional routine cleaning, periodontal maintenance cleaning or periodontal scaling for members with diabetes. We proactively email members with diabetes educational information and reminders about their benefits.

Learn more: Your clients can visit our Dental Wellness Center and Eye Site on Wellness to learn more about diabetes and ways to prevent it from causing vision and oral health issues.

Questions? Please contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana Sales representative.

Vision Insurance offered by Dearborn Life Insurance Company located at 701 E. 22nd Street, Lombard, IL 60148. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is the trade name of Dearborn Life Insurance Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. EyeMed Vision Care, LLC and First American Administrators, Inc. are independent companies that offer provider network and administration services on behalf of Dearborn Life Insurance Company.

*This article, or a similar version, is being shared with employer groups in the BlueVISIONSM newsletter or news alert.