Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 20 – 74?
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for cells and tissues in your muscles and organs, as well as the main source of fuel for your brain. Diabetes can cause fatigue and weight loss, and it can also cause blurry vision, which is worsened by high levels of blood sugar. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause visual impairment or blindness. In some cases, it goes unrecognized while causing damage to the retina.
People who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can develop serious complications with their eye health and vision. Diabetes can affect the eyes when blood sugar is too high, particularly when this level is not controlled over time. When blood sugar is too high, it can damage the blood vessels in the back of the eyes which may leak fluid or cause swelling.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of diseases that can affect people with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma. Diabetic eye disease can damage the eyes and result in poor vision or blindness, and often there are no symptoms in the early stages. Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease, but the risk increases if blood sugar levels and/or blood pressure levels aren’t controlled.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss and blindness for diabetics. This disease affects the blood vessels in retina, which is the light-sensitive layer in the back of the eye. In the early stages of the disease, there may not be any obvious symptoms, but in the later stages, as the blood vessels start to bleed into the vitreous, which is a gel-like fluid that fills the eye, then dark, floating spots or streaks may occur in vision. The risk to develop diabetic retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes. Women with diabetes who get pregnant or develop diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) are also at high risk to develop diabetic retinopathy, so if you are pregnant and have diabetes, you need a diabetic eye exam as soon as possible.
Cataracts are a common occurrence as people get older, but they can happen to diabetics at an earlier age than people without diabetes. Cataracts cause the front part of the eye to become cloudy and can make vision blurry or hazy, cause colors to seem faded, reduce night vision and increase sensitivity to light, and over time, can lead to vision loss.
Diabetic macular edema is characterized by a build-up of fluid and swelling in the macula, which is the part of the retina used to see clearly while driving, reading, and seeing faces. This disease can damage the vision in this part of the eye, and lead to either partial vision loss or blindness.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. This disease is sometimes called “the silent thief of sight” because it can begin with little to no pain or symptoms, and the only way to catch it is through regular comprehensive eye exams. Diabetics have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
It is important for diabetics to get regular eye exams to avoid vision loss or other eye problems. The doctors at Vision Salon Eye Care Associates have committed to additional hours of post doctorate education in Diabetic Eye Care to provide diabetic patients and those patients at risk of developing diabetes the most quality eye care and individualized treatment options. The doctors at Vision Salon Eye Care Associates work with patients to support holistic lifestyle changes to help them prevent eye health complications from their diabetes.
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it is very important to come in for comprehensive eye health care on a regular basis. Book an appointment with the doctors at Vision Salon Eye Care Associates today! Call or text 708-385-0013 to book a diabetic eye exam.
