Damon Wayans, the comedian and actor, spoke openly about living with type 2 diabetes, the shock that forced him to change his life, and his efforts to raise awareness about diabetes-related vision loss. He described the early warning signs that pushed him to seek care, the routine he follows now, and why he joined a campaign focused on diabetic macular edema. Wayans insists on the importance of regular checkups and wants others to drop the pride and get help before complications take hold.
Wayans has spent years managing type 2 diabetes, a condition that runs in his family and quietly shapes daily choices. He remembers the exact moment things felt wrong and the fear that followed. “It was like 2017 and I just remember going to the bathroom and peeing so much that I thought maybe my blood was draining out, too,” he described. “And it kept happening and I’m just like – I’m not even drinking that much water.”
The obvious bathroom trips were only the start of troubling signs that he could not ignore. Frequent urination was followed by foot pain, numb toes, bouts of delirium and episodes of blurry vision. Those symptoms finally convinced him to see medical help instead of brushing it off.
After testing, the numbers were stark and demanded action. After the doctor revealed that Wayans’ blood sugar reading was at a critically high 535 mg/dL, he was “scared straight” into making some “serious” lifestyle changes. That wake-up call changed how he thinks about food, drink and daily habits.
Alcohol was an obvious target when he tightened up his routine. “I used to drink wine, love wine. I don’t drink wine [anymore],” he said. He now follows a disciplined eating plan and moves every day with a mix of strength work, bodyweight exercises and yoga to keep his blood sugar and energy steady.
Technology and routine play a role in how he tracks progress and choices. “I also wear a glucose monitor, so I know what exercise does to me [and] to my blood sugar,” he said. “I know if I lift weights, I feel better, and also I’m burning [calories] for the rest of the day.”
Wayans is also lending his voice to a campaign called All Eye on DME to help spread the word about diabetic macular edema, a complication that threatens vision. DME happens when fluid leaks from weakened blood vessels into the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, and that buildup can blur or block sight.
This complication is a leading cause of vision loss among working-age people with diabetes and affects a significant number in the United States. The condition occurs in about 750,000 diabetics in the U.S. and research shows it hits Black and Hispanic communities more heavily. Awareness and early detection can make a real difference in outcomes.
Symptoms of DME vary and can be subtle at first, which is why vigilance matters. People may notice blurry or doubled vision, floaters or dark spots, trouble with colors or glare, straight lines appearing bent, or different perceived object sizes when one eye is closed. Those changes are signals to seek an eye exam without delay.
Diagnosing DME is straightforward when you see an eye professional who uses visual acuity tests, a full eye exam and optical imaging to look for swelling and leakage. Wayans urges people not to let fear or pride get in the way of care. “don’t be afraid to see a doctor.”
He emphasizes that treatment options exist and catching the problem early matters. “You’d be surprised at how simple the treatments are, but you can’t treat it if you don’t know what it is [and] if you never get diagnosed,” he said. “It’s important that we let our guard down and let our egos down and go conquer the fear, because the fear is all in your head.”
Family and access weighed on his mind as he joined the awareness push, hoping his openness makes a difference at home and beyond. Wayans comes from the well-known Wayans family, including brothers Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans, and son Damon Wayans Jr. He also recognizes practical barriers like cost and access, and he urges action now to protect long-term health. “Even if you have to spend a little money now to get it under control, it’s worth it,” he said. “Because there’s so much life to live, unless you do nothing.”
