Even though most people who have diabetes have nothing more than minor eye disorders over time, it’s helpful to learn and understand the more serious vision complications associated with the disease. That way, if you do develop a major problem, the chances are better that you’ll get effective treatment earlier.
In this blog post, we’ll provide a brief overview of diabetic eye disease, and explain 4 ways your eyes may be affected.
Blurry Vision
High blood sugar can cause swelling of the eyes’ lenses, resulting in blurry vision. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to immediately get new glasses. The blurred vision often clears once the blood sugar level returns to the target range. In some cases, though, it can take up to 3 months for vision to return to normal.
Diabetics who notice blurred vision should make an appointment with their eye doctor.
Cataracts
Many people without diabetes develop cataracts when they get older. Diabetics, however, are more likely to get cataracts at a younger age and have them progress faster. Cataracts impair vision because they cloud the clear lens of the eye.
For mild cataracts, patients should wear sunglasses more often and have eyeglasses with glare control. Cataract surgery is needed as it becomes increasingly difficult to see. Learn more about the risks of leaving cataracts untreated in this blog post.
Glaucoma
Diabetics are more likely to develop glaucoma, which occurs when pressure builds in the eye and pinches the blood vessels that carry blood to the retina and optic nerve. The risk of glaucoma for both diabetics and non-diabetics increases with age, and the longer someone has diabetes, the greater the chances of developing glaucoma.
There are various treatments for the condition that improve a person’s vision. Many people respond well to treatment as simple as medicated eye drops.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Multiple types of retinopathy exist and, as with glaucoma, the longer someone has diabetes, the more likely it is that he or she will have some form of retinopathy. In addition to the duration of diabetes, risk factors for developing retinopathy include fluctuating blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and genetics.
Because people often don’t have any symptoms of retinopathy until the retina is badly damaged, it’s extremely important for diabetics to have regular eye exams.
Get the Diabetic Eye Care You Deserve
The earlier an eye doctor spots any of these conditions, the more effective the treatments can be. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists are experienced and provide excellent eye care for people with diabetes. Two of our ophthalmologists specialize in treating retinal diseases.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, and you are looking for an ophthalmologist, we have 5 NYC locations in Jackson Heights, Jamaica, the Bronx, Washington Heights, and Brooklyn. You can contact us using the online form or call us directly at 866-599-8774.
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