November is Diabetic Awareness Month, a time to spread awareness about the impact diabetes can have on overall health—especially when it comes to your vision. At Vision Care Associates, we want to highlight an important yet often overlooked complication of diabetes: Diabetic Eye Disease.
What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic Eye Disease refers to a group of vision problems that people with diabetes are more prone to develop. These conditions include:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which can cause vision loss if left untreated.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Swelling in an area of the retina called the macula, leading to blurry or distorted vision.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens, which can develop earlier and progress more quickly in people with diabetes.
- Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and cause gradual vision loss.
- Each of these conditions can lead to severe vision impairment or blindness, but with early detection and proper management, the risk can be significantly reduced.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
If you have diabetes, regular comprehensive eye exams are critical in protecting your vision. Many forms of diabetic eye disease don’t cause symptoms in the early stages. By the time vision changes are noticeable, significant damage may have already occurred.
At Vision Care Associates, we recommend annual dilated eye exams for anyone, but especially those living with diabetes. We also recommend another check-up once a year for a diabetic eye evaluation, in addition to the annual eye exam. This allows us to detect diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and other complications early on, giving us the opportunity to implement treatments to prevent further damage.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam
During a Comprehensive Eye Exam, we will:
- Dilate your pupils to examine the back of your eye, especially the retina.
- Check for changes in the blood vessels and swelling in the retina, both early signs of diabetic retinopathy or DME.
- Measure your intraocular pressure to screen for glaucoma.
- Discuss any vision changes you may have noticed recently, such as blurry vision, floaters, or difficulty seeing at night.
During a Diabetic Evaluation, we will:
- Dilate your pupils to fully evaluate the entire retinal health and integrity.
- Take a photo of the back of your eyes and walk you through the structures and findings during the exam.
- Forward the exam findings to your primary care doctor/endocrinologist.
With our advanced diagnostic tools and personalized care, we aim to protect your vision and help you manage any diabetic-related eye complications.
How to Protect Your Vision if You Have Diabetes
While regular eye exams are essential, there are also steps you can take every day to protect your eyes and manage your diabetes:
- Control your blood sugar: High blood sugar levels can damage the delicate blood vessels in your eyes. Maintaining stable blood sugar helps reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease.
- Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol: High blood pressure and cholesterol can also contribute to eye problems. Work with your healthcare team to keep these under control.
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases your risk of diabetic retinopathy and other complications. Quitting smoking can significantly improve your overall health.
- Stay active and eat healthily: Regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of eye disease.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
As we observe Diabetic Awareness Month this November, it’s a great time to focus on your eye health. If you have diabetes and haven’t had an eye exam in the last year, now is the perfect time to schedule one. At Vision Care Associates, we are committed to providing personalized care to help manage and protect your vision.
Contact us today to schedule your comprehensive eye exam and take the next step in preventing diabetic eye disease.