How does diabetes affect eye health?
It might surprise you to find that diabetes can put the health of your eyes at risk. If you have diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of blindness than people without diabetes. However, with the right diabetic eye care, you can preserve your vision and only experience minor problems with your eyes related to diabetes.
One of the main eye health risks associated with diabetes is a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes damage to the blood vessels in your retina, the layer of tissue on the back of your eye that reflects light and sends nerve signals to your brain, allowing you to see. In addition to diabetic retinopathy, diabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Retinal detachment
- Macular edema
You might also get blurred vision when your blood sugar spikes, and there is too much water and sugar in your lenses.
What does diabetic eye care entail?
If you have diabetes and have symptoms of eye problems like blurred vision, eye floaters, or blind spots, the team at Suburban Eye Clinic can provide the assessment and treatment you need.
They begin with a series of eye tests, including a vision exam, a test of the pressure in your eyes, and a check of your retinas and their functioning. If they find that you’re in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you might not need treatment right away. However, you should check in with your provider regularly.
If your diabetic retinopathy requires treatment, your provider may recommend either surgery or laser therapy. During laser therapy, your provider burns a few of the abnormal blood vessels on your retina to keep them from leaking or expanding.
During a surgery -- called -- vitrectomy, they can treat bleeding in your eye or repair your retina if it becomes detached. Your provider may also inject medications into your eyes to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
How can I slow the development of diabetic eye problems?
Even though you’re at a greater risk for eye complications because of diabetes, there are ways to slow their progression and reduce your chances of vision loss or blindness. One of the best steps you can take is to manage your diabetes effectively with the medications and lifestyle strategies your doctor has given you.
You can control your blood sugar and prevent eye problems by:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Taking insulin, if prescribed
- Checking your blood sugar levels regularly
- Stopping smoking
If you have diabetes and get pregnant, you should attend frequent eye exams at Suburban Eye Clinic during your pregnancy and for a year after you give birth to monitor your eyes.
To find out how you can participate in proper diabetic eye care, call Suburban Eye Clinic, or book an appointment online today.
