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If left untreated, diabetes can impact facets of your health from head-to-toe — including your eyes. Fortunately, eating a healthy diet and following your diabetes treatment plan can help keep your blood sugar levels stable, and in turn, protect your vision. However, since ocular health issues can develop silently, it’s also important to schedule regular check-ups with an optometrist to screen for and treat potential problems. To illustrate the importance of this routine care, here are three common eye diseases associated with diabetes and how you can address them.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?

1. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when sugars in the blood damage vessels in the eye. As the blood vessel damage progresses, fluids may leak and cause the retina to swell. Early on, this condition causes blurry vision. Without proper treatment, diabetic retinopathy can cause complete blindness. Optometrists should screen for this condition at least once a year using advanced imaging devices that capture detailed photos of the retina. If blood vessel damage is present, they may recommend prescription medication or laser surgery to prevent further vision loss.

2. Glaucoma

eye diseaseAccording to the American Academy of Opthalmology, individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing glaucoma — a condition caused by increased pressure within the eye. When this pressure increases, it pushes on the optic nerve and may cause damage that leads to vision loss or total blindness. While the connection between these two conditions remains unclear, stabilizing your blood sugar levels can greatly reduce your risk of the eye disease. Your optometrist can perform glaucoma testing with a tonometer — a device that ejects a gentle puff of air toward the eye to measure pressure levels. If glaucoma is a concern, your eye doctor may prescribe medicated drops that help reduce pressure levels.

3. Cataracts

Cataracts are cloudy formations of excess proteins that accumulate within the eyes’ lenses. This condition tends to occur in older patients but is also common among those with diabetes. It occurs when increased sugars in the eye are converted into sorbitol — a type of protein. While cataracts aren’t always problematic, advanced cases can sometimes get in the way of vision. If you’re experiencing any degree of vision loss due to this issue, your optometrist may recommend cataract removal surgery. During this procedure, the proteins are removed and a synthetic lens is implanted to replace the natural one.

 

If you have diabetes, Alan L. Ginsburg OD is qualified to help protect your eyes. Serving the High Point, NC, community for more than four decades, this optometrist is well-versed in detecting eye diseases — including glaucoma, retinopathy, and cataracts. After checking your ocular health through a comfortable eye exam, Dr. Ginsburg can help you explore a variety of solutions to treat existing conditions and help protect your vision. Visit this family eye care center online to learn more about their services or call (336) 889-6566 to schedule an appointment today.

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