Diabetic Eye Care
Diabetes can affect many organs of the body and the eyes are no exception. The most common effect diabetes has on the eyes is a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Almost half of the people who have diabetes have some form of diabetic retinopathy.
Retinopathy simply means "disease of the retina." Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive disease that affects the small blood vessels which nourish the light sensitive section (retina) of the back of the eye.
There are numerous ways diabetic retinopathy presents itself in an individual’s eye. It can include swelling of the vessels or leakage from increased pressure in the vessels. Sometimes new blood vessels are formed on the retina. Each of these affects the ability of the retina to perform its portion of the vision process. The longer diabetic related eye conditions are left untreated, the greater is your risk for vision loss.
Regular Eye Exams for Diabetic Patients
It is very important for individuals with diabetes to have comprehensive eye exams at least once per year and possibly more frequently as directed by your eye care provider. Some diabetes related eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy may not have noticeable symptoms in their early stages. However, if these conditions are identified early and treated properly, their adverse effects can often be kept in check.
The screening process for diabetic eye conditions is painless and is completed at Goodman Eye Medical Center using leading eye care technology. Our new modern eye care center is equipped with cutting edge diagnostic equipment and treatment lasers to ensure our patients have the most advanced vision screening and diabetic eye care possible.
Pregnancy and Diabetes
While the possible effect of diabetes itself is reason enough to have routine eye exams, the risk of diabetic related eye conditions is greatly increased with pregnancy.
If you become pregnant and have diabetes, you should contact your eye care provider to arrange for a diagnostic eye exam as soon as possible. Your doctor may request that you continue a series of exams throughout your pregnancy
Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Conditions
The initial onset of diabetic eye conditions may not be noticeable to the individual. Even as the problems progress, your vision may not be affected. Even though you may not notice the effects, their damage is ongoing. During these stages, they are detectable with proper screening by skilled eye care professionals.
As the effects of diabetes progress, you may notice some of the following:
- Floaters – small specks or matter that seems to be floating in your field of vision
- Blind or dark spots in the middle of your vision
- Reddish or dark streaks that block out part of your vision
- A loss or blurring of vision
- Problems adjusting from bright to low light situations
- Impaired night vision
These and other changes to your vision should be reported to your eye care provider.
Treatment of Diabetic Eye Conditions
In the early stages of diabetic eye conditions, proper management of your diabetes may be all that is necessary. As the conditions progress to advanced stages, your ophthalmologist may recommend specific treatments for your condition.
These conditions and their treatment may include:
- Proliferative Retinopathy is the growth of new blood vessels and is commonly treated using the scatter laser treatment.
- Macular Edema is a swelling of the center of the eye due to leaking fluid. Focal laser treatment is often the treatment of choice for macular edema.
- A vitreous hemorrhage is the term given to bleeding into the middle chamber of the eye (the 'vitreous'). A victrectomy is a procedure to remove the excess blood in the vitreous of the eye.
These treatments and others are conveniently available at the Goodman Eye Medical Center.
Prevention of Diabetic Eye Conditions
All of the treatments listed are designed to stop the progress of diabetic eye disease, but will not restore lost vision or damage. It is very important to take an active role in protecting your vision.
A few of the steps that can help include:
- Have regular comprehensive eye exams.
- Report any changes in your vision to your eye care provider.
- Practice eating a balanced diet
- Maintain proper blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Keep your blood pressure under control.
- Don't smoke (even passive smoke inhalation can double the risk of retinopathy).
- 30-120 minutes of exercise per day
- Treatment of sleep apnea
Please discuss these and other steps available to protect your vision with your personal eye care provider! Only direct involvement of you and your medical provider can provide proper evaluation of your personal needs and determine the best ways to protect your vision.
