Diabetic Eye Care
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition when the body is unable to properly process the food we eat. Normally, our body metabolizes food and sugar into glucose, which is the essential source of energy for the cells in our body. When the body is unable to correctly metabolize the food we eat, blood glucose levels rise higher than normal. As a result, the excess glucose levels in the blood can lead to dangerous complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Elevated blood glucose levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes damage the blood vessels in the retina leading to diabetic retinopathy. Eventually, macular tissue swelling, internal bleeding, and interruption of retinal blood flow can occur with profound effects on visual function. Any patient with diabetes should be routinely checked with a complete dilated retina examination and treated before any visual damage occurs.
Symptoms include:
- eye pain
- double vision
- cataracts
- fluctuating vision or prescription changes
- image distortion
- spots in vision
What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
In diabetes, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina. Early detection of retina damage in diabetic retinopathy is critical in protecting and preserving your vision. Diabetic retinopathy causes macular edema, retina and vitreous hemorrhage, and in the severe cases tractional retinal detachments and neovascular glaucoma.
Diabetic Eye Exams/Why are they important?
Many of the physical changes in diabetic retinopathy occur before there are any eye symptoms. The prognosis is best if diabetic retinopathy is caught and treated early during routine diabetic eye examinations.
In cases where diabetic retinopathy threatens vision, non-surgical treatment options include intravitreal injections and retina laser.
If you are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, schedule a consultation at Desert Vision Center by calling 760-340-4700.