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Everyone deserves quality eye care, but it is especially important for those with diabetes to stay on top of their vision screenings and eye exams. The eyes contain many blood vessels, which means every spike and dip in blood sugar can affect them in both the short- and long-term. Since November is National Diabetes Month, now is the perfect time to review the ways in which diabetes can affect your eyes. 

Understanding the Risks

Diabetic eye disease refers to the various eye conditions and vision problems that can affect people with diabetes. Such issues include glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic macular edema (DME), and diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, any one of these conditions can cause vision loss or blindness. 

While glaucoma and cataracts also affect those who do not have diabetes, diabetic retinopathy develops as the result of consistently high blood sugar. Unregulated diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina until they hemorrhage or leak fluid, thereby distorting vision. DME is a side effect of diabetic retinopathy and is characterized by swelling in the part of the retina referred to as the macula.

Preserving Your Vision 

eye careThe two most effective ways for people with diabetes to preserve their vision are controlling their blood sugar levels and scheduling regular eye exams. Since diabetic eye disease may not manifest any symptoms until the condition has progressed to a relatively advanced stage, those with diabetes need to visit an ophthalmologist regularly, even if they are not experiencing any issues. This will allow their eye care provider to identify and treat any minor problems before they evolve into major concerns that cause irreversible damage. 

 

If you have special vision needs due to diabetes, turn to TriState Centers for Sight for comprehensive eye care. They have multiple offices throughout southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky, which makes it easy for everyone in the greater Cincinnati area to schedule regular appointments. In addition to diabetic eye care, their friendly and knowledgeable team is proud to offer cataract surgery, dry eye treatment, corneal transplants, and LASIK surgery. To find the location nearest you, visit their website, or call (859) 331-6616 to make an appointment. 

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