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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Thomas P. Finley, OD
Diabetic Eye Disease
Dr. Finley's Family Eyecare
. http://visionsource-drfinley.net/

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults, aged 20-70. Nearly half of all people with diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy during their lifetime. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy.

Because diabetes can cause blindness, and there are often no warning symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment is essential. As the disease progresses, a person may notice their vision getting worse. Some people experience their vision fluctuating throughout the day.

It’s not uncommon for a person with diabetes to notice their vision changing from day to day as their blood sugar changes.

What Happens To the Eye In Diabetes?

In diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina) become weakened and begin to leak blood and fluid. Your eye doctor may be first to detect that you have diabetes based on your eye health observed during your exam.

Other changes in the eye may also occur. The macula of the eye can also become swollen from fluids leaking, causing blurred vision. In more advanced stages, new fragile blood vessels may begin growing. These new vessels are very weak and prone to leak which leads to more damage and significant vision loss. Once the damage begins, it seems more difficult to control.

What Should a Person With Diabetes Do?

People with diabetes must learn to manage their condition by monitoring their blood sugar regularly and maintaining a good diet and weight control. When medication is prescribed, they must administer the medication as indicated. Exercise regularly. Unfortunately, diabetes is a lifetime disease in most cases, so there’s no quick fix. Daily lifestyle changes are required for best management.

All diabetics should have a thorough eye examination with pupil dilation at least every year. All eye doctors can perform these examinations. Your doctor should explain all findings to your satisfaction and communicate with your other doctors.

When diabetic eye changes become more severe, it may be necessary to have laser surgery on the back of your eye to help stop the leakage. This helps reduce the risk of severe vision loss. Your eye doctor will recommend a good specialist for this advanced treatment when needed. As long as you’re comfortable with the care you’re receiving, there’s no need to see a specialist unless your eye disease becomes more advanced. This is another reason why it’s so important to trust the care you’re receiving from your eye doctor.

Other eye problems can occur in people with diabetes. Glaucoma and early cataracts are twice as likely to occur in people with diabetes. Other conditions like high blood pressure, smoking, and pregnancy may cause diabetic eye disease to worsen. Yearly eye examinations (or sometimes more frequent exams) are the best way to guard against debilitating vision loss from diabetes.

Can People With Diabetes Wear Contact Lenses Safely?

Diabetics are more susceptible to infections than non-diabetics, and this is a concern with contact lenses. Eye infections can be very serious and cause permanent vision loss. However, with proper care and wearing, people with diabetes can wear contact lenses safely.

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