For the most part, everyone is aware of diabetes and the effect that it is having on the health of Americans. According to a 2018 CDC study, 34.2 million Americans live with the disease, all of whom may be at risk of developing complications related to the disease, including those which affect the eyes.
People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing a range of eye diseases, making it vital for them to have regular comprehensive eye exams to preserve their vision’s health.
If you have diabetes, please book an eye exam with our team today. With our help, you can find the care you need to maintain, preserve, and protect your vision.
Diabetes is one of the reasons we decide to focus on our patients’ overall health adjacent to their eye health.
Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects how your body processes blood sugar (glucose). Sugar is needed to provide the energy your body needs throughout the day, but too much of it in the bloodstream can lead to adverse health effects to your heart, teeth, and eyes.
Please make sure you’re undergoing regular comprehensive eye exams if you have diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common diabetic eye diseases. This disease occurs when sugar damages the vessels behind the retina, leading them to bulge or break, possibly leaking fluids into the retina and causing vision loss.
In more severe cases, your retina may compensate for the lost vessels by growing new ones, but these vessels are generally very fragile. They break and leak fluid into the retina, creating scar tissue or causing retinal detachment.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema is another eye disease connected to the development of diabetes. When your retina’s blood vessels leak, this fluid often leaks into the macula, the central part of your retina responsible for your central vision.
When this happens, the macula swells, damaging your central vision and affecting your ability to read, drive, and recognize faces.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common eye disease that generally occurs when your intraocular pressure rises over time and damages your optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Diabetes can double the risk of developing glaucoma.
Find out more about this disease on our Glaucoma page!
Cataracts
If your eyes are “the window to the soul,” then the clear crystalline lens of your eye may very well be that window!
Cataracts are an eye condition that causes your clear crystalline lens to become rigid and opaque, affecting your vision. In some cases, vision problems from cataracts may be corrected using glasses or contact lenses. But severe cases may require surgery.
Learn more about cataracts on our Cataracts page!
Ocular coherence tomography (OCT) scans help us take a detailed look at your retina’s health to spot signs of disease connected to diabetes. OCTs take cross-sectional images of your retina similarly to an ultrasound. However, instead of using sound, it uses light to generate their highly-detailed photos.
Salisbury Eyecare & Eyewear is proud to use Maestro Ocular Coherence Tomography with Retinal Imaging, including full-color fundus photography in 2D and 3D images!
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