More than 34 million Americans are living with diabetes, and it’s not just your overall health that can be affected. Diabetes can also have serious impacts on your vision, making regular eye exams a crucial part of managing the disease.
While many are aware of how diabetes impacts general health, the effects on your eyes are often overlooked. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in adults, making it essential to monitor your eye health closely.
People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing serious vision problems. This includes conditions like diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. That’s why we recommend annual eye exams for both children and adults with diabetes.
At Grand Lake Eyecare, we provide comprehensive eye exams designed to catch early signs of diabetic-related vision issues. Early detection can help manage and treat these conditions before they cause permanent damage. By taking a proactive approach to eye health, you can protect your vision and maintain a good quality of life.
Diabetes can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness, so it’s important to book an annual eye exam to check for any changes in your vision or eye health.
Visual issues caused by diabetes may include conditions like blurry vision, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic macular edema.
Your body adjusting to diabetes medication or changes in your health routine can lead to blurry vision.
Elevated blood sugar can lead to a buildup of fluid in the eyes and cause the eye’s lens to swell. Normally, the extra fluid is temporary, and your eyes will return to normal as your blood sugar stabilizes. But you should still visit your optometrist to rule out more serious issues.
Diabetic retinopathy often progresses slowly and may not present visible symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. The blood vessels in your retina swell as blood sugar levels elevate.
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, blurry vision is a common symptom. As the condition progresses, it gets more serious. Blood vessels break and bleed, leaking into the macula and causing vision loss.
Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula swells due to leaking fluids from your retina’s blood vessels. The macula is responsible for your central vision, so impairment can impact the ability to read, write, drive, and recognize faces. This condition is quite serious and can lead to blindness.
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, don't wait to schedule your eye exam. Contact us today to book your diabetic eye exam at either our Celina or Fort Recovery locations. Let us help you protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy.