Diabetic Eye Disease

Patient consulting for his eye disease

If you have diabetes, you may be familiar with the term “diabetic eye disease.” It is used to describe a collection of eye problems that can affect people with diabetes.

How Diabetes Affects the Eyes

When your blood sugar levels are too high – 6.5% or higher on an HbA1C blood test – you may be diagnosed with diabetes. The HbA1C test result roughly represents your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

Why Blood Sugar Levels Matter

The sugar in the foods or drinks you consume is absorbed into your blood vessels. Once in the bloodstream, insulin produced by the pancreas moves the sugar into muscle, liver, and other tissue cells, where it can be used as a form of energy and stored for future use. However, in people with diabetes, either your body does not create enough insulin (type 1 diabetes), or the insulin isn’t effective enough (type 2 diabetes). Either way, blood sugar levels in the blood remain high and many cells are deprived of energy.

Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage multiple organs and other tissue throughout the body – including the eyes.

Types of Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes can cause an array of problems in eye tissue, especially in the retina which can affect your vision. Diabetic eye diseases, including the following:

Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. It’s far easier to control your diabetes than it is to treat the eye problems that occur as a result of chronically high blood sugar levels. Often, there are no warning signs of a problem until significant damage is done.

If you have diabetes, one of the best things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and preserve your vision is to regularly see an eye doctor and have dilated eye exams.

Depending on the specific eye disease you have, there are numerous medications that can be prescribed to help alleviate your symptoms. Swelling or inflammation is typically addressed via an injection in the eye. Laser surgery can also help, such as to shrink or closing leaking blood vessels in the eye. Other types of surgery may also help. No matter your condition, the experts at Miramar Eye Institute will provide a treatment plan unique to you.

Eye Care for Diabetics in Miramar, FL

If you or someone you love have diabetes, make sure regular eye doctor visits are a part of your healthcare routine. Doing this can identify and treat diabetic eye disease at its earliest stages, protecting your eye health and vision. To find out more about how our eye care services can benefit you, call Miramar Eye Institute in South Florida today at (954) 437-4316 or request an appointment online now.