Diabetic Eye Care
How Does Diabetes Affect My Vision?
More than 3 million Canadians suffer from diabetes, and that number continues to grow. Diabetes is a complex disease that affects glucose levels in our blood.
BUT DID YOU KNOW DIABETES CAN AFFECT YOUR VISION TOO?
Diabetes can result in diabetic retinopathy which may cause nearsightedness, farsightedness, premature presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, decreased corneal sensitivity, and even paralysis in your optic nerves.
What Is Retinopathy?
Retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels that transfer blood and oxygen to your retinas weaken or swell. These changes result in minor leakages that cause new blood vessels to form and can deprive your eyes of the essential oxygen they need.
This condition can even cause parts of the retina to die, resulting in total vision loss in extreme cases.
What Are the Symptoms of Retinopathy?
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Reduction in field of view
- Flashes
- Eye floaters
What Treatment Options Are Available?
Diabetics must pay close attention to their disease if they want to maintain their vision quality. Routine eye examinations are the best line of defense against vision loss for individuals with diabetes.
Detecting retinopathy is easy through an eye exam, and treatment options are available if it’s detected early enough.
Treatments for retinopathy include intraocular injections, laser therapy, and retinal surgery in specific situations. Keep in mind, early detection is key and will increase the likelihood that treatment is successful.
Can I Reduce My Risks of Developing Eye Diseases?
Diabetics must focus on eliminating bad habits if they want to keep their eyes healthy. We recommend things such as:
- Staying on top of your blood sugar levels
- Avoiding smoking and drinking
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Scheduling a yearly eye exam with your optometrist
Be Proactive – Schedule Your Next Eye Exam Today
You must be proactive if you want to stay on top of your eye health as a diabetic. Mountain View Optometry can help you assess and diagnose potential eye problems before they worsen.
Contact our team today to make an appointment.