Protect Your Vision with Regular Exams
Diabetes is a well known disease affecting over 34 million Americans. But many don’t know diabetes can cause lasting damage to the eyes if not properly treated. It can affect anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, and the less controlled your blood sugar levels are, the higher the likelihood of developing what’s known as Diabetic Retinopathy.
This complication damages the blood vessels in the retina, the area of your eye that communicates with the brain. Diabetic Retinopathy generally affects both eyes and can often progress with few or no symptoms, causing significant damage that can lead to blindness if left untreated. The best way to prevent permanent damage is routine eye exams.
Many people with diabetes go years without an eye exam, only to discover their vision has been slowly damaged over time and cannot be reversed. While symptoms may not occur early on, they can develop as the condition continues and include:
- Dark spots or strings in your vision
- Blurry vision
- Fluctuating vision
- Impaired color vision
- Dark or empty areas in your vision
- Vision loss
If you or a loved one has diabetes, please schedule annual exams to monitor your eye health. We understand how frightening it can be to learn you have Diabetic Retinopathy. Our friendly and caring staff are here to help educate our patients on their condition, work together to craft a customized treatment plan, and most importantly, preserve your vision.
If you have questions about Diabetic Retinopathy, give us a call or schedule an appointment below.
