Damon Wayans Credits Sister’s Push for Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis That May Have Saved His Eyesight
When Damon Wayans started running to the bathroom constantly in 2017, he brushed it off. It took his sister Kim’s persistence to get him to a doctor — a nudge the comedian now credits with potentially saving his life and his vision.
For the spouses, siblings and adult children quietly worrying about a loved one’s health, Wayans’ story may sound familiar. The actor recently opened up about his type 2 diabetes diagnosis and the role family played in getting him into care, in an effort to encourage others to stop putting it off.
How Damon Wayans Was Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes
Wayans told Fox News Digital in April 2026 that his first warning sign was unmistakable in hindsight.
“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 said. “And it kept happening and I’m just like — I’m not even drinking that much water.”
According to Healthline, frequent urination is one of the body’s distress signals when blood sugar climbs too high. Excess sugar overwhelms the kidneys, which flush it — along with hydrating fluids — out through urine, leaving people dehydrated and trapped in a cycle of thirst.
But the type 2 diabetes symptoms didn’t stop there. Wayans also experienced foot pain, numb toes, delirium and blurry vision. Diabetes runs in his family, but he still needed Kim’s pressure to make the appointment.
When he finally went, his blood sugar was 535 mg/dL. Wayans said the number left him “scared straight” and ready to make “serious” lifestyle changes.
According to Yale New Haven Health, “Normal blood sugar would be 99 mg/dL or lower after a blood test in which the patient fasted overnight. A blood sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher is considered abnormal. A range of 100-125 mg/dL falls under the category of prediabetes, while a blood sugar of 126 mg/dL or higher is considered type 2 diabetes.”
What Family Members Can Take From This Story
If you’ve ever been the relative trying to get a loved one to take symptoms seriously, Kim’s role in this story is the headline. Wayans openly acknowledges he might not have gone on his own — and the consequences of waiting longer could have been severe.
His advice for anyone in that position is direct: “Don’t be afraid to see a doctor.”
“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. “If they see that I’m not afraid, then maybe they’ll be less afraid. And if I can go home and actually talk in-depth about treatments … especially if I got it done myself, I think they’ll be more receptive to it.”
Wayans also addressed something families navigate quietly: cost. Medical bills can deter people from seeking treatment, he acknowledged.
“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.”
The Diabetes Vision Risk Families Should Know About
Wayans is now partnering with biotech company Genentech’s All Eyes on DME initiative to raise awareness of diabetic macular edema, a complication that can rob diabetes patients of their sight. Wayans does not have DME himself, but he does have depth perception issues.
“Sometimes God talks to you, and maybe this is something I needed to hear and be a part of in order to keep myself from going blind,” he said.
The stakes are real. According to Prevent Blindness, “Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in the United States, with DME contributing greatly to this vision loss. DME may affect up to 10% of people with diabetes.” DME develops when fluid builds up in the macula — the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision — and the resulting vision loss can progress over months.
DME symptoms families should watch for include blurry or double vision, floaters, dark spots and difficulty seeing in glare or bright light.
How Damon Wayans Changed His Daily Routine Amid Diabetes
The actor overhauled his routine. He gave up wine, started weightlifting and added burpees and yoga to his weekly routine. A glucose monitor helps him track how his body responds.
“I used to drink wine, love wine. I don’t drink wine [anymore],” he said. “It’s a much healthier life I’m living, and I’m aware of all the joys that I have now that I just took for granted back when I wasn’t taking care of myself.”
Other Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms to Look Out For
There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but knowing the warning signs can help families act early. Beyond frequent urination, symptoms can include increased thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, frequent infections, tingling in the hands and feet, darkened skin patches and dry skin.
Risk factors include a family history of the disease, being older than 45, carrying excess weight, exercising fewer than three times a week, a history of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, prediabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
