Diabetes and Your Eyes:
Diabetes can significantly impact the health of your eyes. It is vital to schedule an annual eye exam, which can often go unforgotten. A detailed annual eye exam is a crucial step in safeguarding your eye health and detecting various conditions that can impair or steal your vision. Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care with our optometrists can reduce a person’s risk for severe vision loss from diabetic eye disease by 95%.
How Diabetes Affects Eye Health
1. Diabetic Retinopathy:
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common eye conditions associated with diabetes. High blood sugar levels, damage can occur to the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to swelling, leakage, or abnormal blood vessel growth. This condition can cause permanent vision loss, if left untreated. Early detection is key, as diabetic retinopathy often presents no symptoms until it’s advanced. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults and is predicted to increase by 48% by 2030.
2. Macular Edema:
Diabetic Macular Edema occurs when the tiny blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula, which is where focusing occurs. As the macula swells with fluid, vision blurs and colors may appear washed out.
3. Cataracts:
While there are many factors to cataracts forming, diabetic patients are more prone to cataracts at a younger age, which makes monitoring for early signs essential.
4. Glaucoma:
Diabetes significantly raises the risk of glaucoma, a condition where pressure builds up inside the eye damages the optic nerve. Like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma can develop slowly and cause irreversible vision loss if not detected early.
The Importance of Annual Eye Exams for Diabetics
As stated above, regular eye exams are critical to finding any of these conditions early. We at Town Eyecare and The American Diabetes Association recommends getting an eye exam ever year. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts can make a world of difference in treatment options and outcomes.
At Town Eyecare, we utilize state-of-the-art imaging technology to provide an in-depth look at your eye health. Our advanced equipment allows us to detect even the smallest signs of damage to your retina and other parts of your eye, ensuring that we leave no stone unturned during your examination.
Insurance and Coordinated Care
We understand that managing diabetes often requires coordinating care between multiple healthcare providers. That’s why we take extra steps to ensure your eye health is well-monitored and work closely with your primary care physician/endocrinologist to manage any potential concerns related to your diabetes.
As a healthcare provider, we accept most major PPO and HSA medical insurance plans and will help you navigate any insurance questions you may have. This ensures that your exams are not only thorough but also affordable.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s crucial to prioritize your eye health. Annual eye exams are your best defense against vision loss. Town Eyecare provides comprehensive eye care services, tailored to the needs of diabetic patients, with the goal of catching any potential issues early.
Book your appointment today to ensure you receive a complete and thorough examination that keeps your eyes—and your overall health—on track.
