The Importance of Eye Exams for Diabetic Patients

The Importance of Eye Exams for Diabetic Patients

The American Diabetes Association stresses the importance of regular eye checks if you have diabetes. The chronic disease increases your risk for serious eye conditions. Your attending doctor’s priority is to prevent these ailments. That is why you should keep your appointments with your eye doctor. Here are the important points to consider about regular eye exams for diabetic patients. 

Watches Out for Diabetic Retinopathy

High blood glucose levels for long periods can lead to diabetic retinopathy. The eye condition occurs when the retina suffers from damage. Studies show that diabetic retinopathy is becoming a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It often starts in adult diabetic patients at around the age of 40.

The early stages of diabetic retinopathy typically happen without symptoms. Retinal photography or a dilated eye exam can detect it. Without treatment, this condition can lead to permanent blindness. Early detection of this problem can lead to early treatment before it becomes severe enough to cause vision loss. Keeping your blood sugar levels under control can lower your risk of developing this eye ailment. 

An annual screening check for retinopathy is advisable for adults with diabetes. High glucose levels can damage the thin blood vessels in the retina. If this area of the eye suffers from damage, it will not be able to receive light to process images anymore. The early stage of diabetic retinopathy is when the blood vessels begin to leak and weaken. The symptoms may be mild or may not be present at all. 

The advanced stage of this eye condition happens when the retina starts to grow new blood vessels that often bleed. The symptoms are more severe at this stage. You will experience retinal detachment. Vision loss is the most severe outcome of this eye condition. 

Checks for Other Eye Conditions

Regular diabetic eye exams can detect other eye conditions. This is a good thing because early detection of these ailments can help you enjoy your eyesight longer. Diabetic retinopathy is only one of the different eye conditions that you can develop if you have diabetes. Here are other eye ailments that your eye doctor can watch out for:

A cataract is the clouding of your natural lens. It often happens in older adults. The cause of this eye condition is the breakdown of the proteins in your eye. Your risk of cataracts is higher if you have inflammation, blood vessel damage, and high blood sugar. If you do not have your blood sugar under control, you may have cataracts at a younger age. 

Glaucoma occurs when the fluid pressure in your eye rises. This damages the optic nerve, leading to blindness. 

Diabetic macula edema is a possible complication of retinopathy. The leaky blood vessels in the eyes result in the fluid collection. This leads to macular swelling and blurry vision. 

Seeing your eye doctor for regular diabetic eye exams can help preserve your vision for longer. At Justice Vision Clinic, we encourage our patients to keep their appointments for regular eye exams. 

Please visit our clinic in Duluth, Georgia, for an in-person consultation. Call 770-626-7883 to set an appointment or inquire about our diabetic eye care packages.