For those living with diabetes, it is important to understand that it can have a serious impact on your eye health and vision. In fact, diabetes is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults. Unfortunately, many of the eye-related complications can develop without any noticeable symptoms early on. That’s why regular eye exams with a vision care provider who understands diabetic eye care are critical to protecting your sight.
How Diabetes is Connected to Eye Health
Diabetes requires careful management of blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels remain elevated over time, they can damage the small blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes. This can lead to several serious conditions, including:
- Diabetic Retinopathy – This is a condition that occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, which is the part of the eye that senses light. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause symptoms. However, it can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) – DME is a complication of diabetic retinopathy and occurs when fluid leaks into the macula, which is the small area in the center of the retina that is responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. This can cause swelling and blurred or distorted vision, and can result in permanent vision loss if not treated properly.
- Glaucoma – Diabetes can also increase the risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can result in irreversible vision loss if not caught early. Managing blood sugar levels and getting regular eye exams are essential for preventing the vision complications that are related to both diabetes and glaucoma.
- Cataracts – Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, causing blurry or distorted vision. People with diabetes often have a greater risk of developing cataracts, or may see them accelerate more quickly.
How Family Vision Development Center Can Help in Diabetic Vision Care
The care you will receive from our expert staff can play a vital role in effectively managing the vision challenges associated with diabetes.
- Comprehensive diabetic vision exams – These specialized exams go beyond a standard vision check. During your visit, we will closely examine the retina, macula, and optic nerve using dilation and digital retinal imaging.
- Early detection – Many diabetes-related eye conditions develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular eye exams can help to detect early signs of damage before vision is affected, allowing for timely treatment and better outcomes.
- Monitoring of disease progression – If you have been diagnosed with a diabetic eye disease, we can track changes over time and coordinate care with your primary physician or endocrinologist.
- Tailored vision treatment plans – Diabetes can lead to continual changes in your vision and in your prescription. We can meet these changing vision correction needs and offer strategies to manage visual challenges at work, home, and other daily activities.
Don’t wait until you notice significant changes in your vision to get the care you need. Reach out to us at 630-862-2020 for proper diabetic vision care as early as possible to protect your vision now and into the future.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.