How does diabetes affect eye health?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that, when not adequately controlled, causes high blood sugar. High blood sugar can cause long-term health complications like nerve damage and a variety of eye-related conditions.
Some of the most common diabetic eye diseases include:
Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy and causes your vision to become blurred and distorted.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that cause pressure in the eye to rise, which can damage the optic nerve.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy develops when damage occurs in the blood vessels of the tissue at the back of the eye, which leads to vision impairment and blindness.
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema is a condition that develops when fluid accumulates in the central part of the retina, which causes vision loss.
How are diabetes-related eye conditions diagnosed?
The Swift Creek Eye Center team uses the latest diagnostic technologies to identify diabetic-related eye issues in the earliest stages.
One of the most useful diagnostic tests uses digital photography that captures images of the back of your eye to track changes related to diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related conditions from one year to the next.
In addition to helping the Swift Creek Eye Center team address your eye health issues, your provider can also give your diabetic specialist detailed reports and images of diabetes-related eye issues. These reports can help your doctor create the right treatment plan to control your diabetes better and reduce your risks of other eye-health complications.
What treatments are available for diabetes-related eye conditions?
A priority for diabetes-related eye conditions is ensuring your blood sugar levels are well-controlled.
You also need to focus on improving your overall health for the benefit of your vision, such as managing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and quitting smoking. By maintaining a healthy weight and eating a nutritious diet, you can naturally reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
For existing diabetes-related eye conditions, you may need medications that reduce fluid buildup and pressure in your eyes or slow down the progression of your vision loss.
If you have cataracts or swelling in your eye, your Swift Creek Eye Center provider can discuss your options for surgery or laser treatments.
If you have diabetes and need a reliable optometry specialist experienced in diabetes-related eye diseases, schedule a consultation by calling the office today.
