October is a month dedicated to raising awareness about a serious complication of diabetes: diabetic eye disease. This condition can lead to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated.
What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage these blood vessels, leading to:
- Diabetic retinopathy: This condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, causing it to swell or leak fluid.
- Diabetic macular edema: This is a swelling of the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.
Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease
In the early stages of diabetic eye disease, there may be no noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, you may experience:
- Blurred vision
- Floaters or flashes of light
- Dark spots in your vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Vision loss
Risk Factors for Diabetic Eye Disease
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Poor blood sugar control
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Age (older age increases risk)
Preventing Diabetic Eye Disease
- Regular eye exams: If you have diabetes, it’s important to see an eye doctor for regular eye exams. Early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
- Manage your blood sugar: Keeping your blood sugar levels within a target range is crucial for preventing diabetic eye disease.
- Control your blood pressure and cholesterol: High blood pressure and cholesterol can increase your risk of diabetic eye disease.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of eye problems.
Treatment for Diabetic Eye Disease
Treatment for diabetic eye disease may include:
- Laser surgery: This can be used to destroy abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
- Anti-VEGF injections: These injections can help reduce swelling in the macula.
- Vitrectomy: This surgery can be used to remove blood or scar tissue from the eye.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. If you have diabetes, schedule a regular eye exam with our team at Millennium Eye Center Orlando. Together, we can help protect your vision and prevent the complications of diabetic eye disease.
Millennium Eye Center is a leading provider of comprehensive eye care in the Orlando area. Our experienced team of optometrists can help you manage your astigmatism and achieve optimal eye health.
Whether the best choice is glasses, contacts, or other treatment, we understand that the optimal vision correction solution is one that’s tailored to each individual patient. To schedule an appointment with our Glaucoma Expert, Dr. Lauretta Justin, click HERE or text us at 407-292-9812.
Thank you for choosing us as your family’s partners in lifelong vision health. We treasure the trust you place in our practice!
Disclaimer: The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. The top image is used under a License-free image from Pixabay.
