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The American Diabetes Association (ADA), an advocacy group for diabetes research and awareness, is a leading resource when it comes to diabetes information.  In a recent article, the ADA outlined some important eye care tips for those suffering from this far-too-common condition.  While some of these tips will be obvious to any diabetes patient—keep blood sugar levels in check, manage high blood pressure, etc.—one tip stood out as particularly important to me.  “See your eye care professional at least once a year for a dilated eye exam,” the ADA article suggests. “Having your regular doctor look at your eyes is not enough.”

So, why are eye exams so important for those living with diabetes?  The answer is simple.  Those with the condition are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness.  These conditions include cataracts and glaucoma.  Read on to learn a bit more about these serious eye conditions and how they’re treated today.

Common Eye Conditions Among Diabetes Patients

Diabetes patients are at higher risk for a host of different ailments, and eye conditions are no exception.  Here are two common and treatable eye conditions that are particularly common among those living with diabetes.

Those with diabetes are at higher risk for:

• Cataracts: A cataract is characterized by a clouding of the eye’s lens.  Ultimately, this affects one’s ability to see clearly.  While cataracts are typically associated with aging, those with diabetes are particularly at risk.  For those who develop this condition, Cataract Surgery is often the best option.  During the procedure, your eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens, known as an Intraocular Lens (IOL).
• Glaucoma: Essentially, glaucoma is a disease where the optic nerve becomes damaged, typically as a result of increased pressure in the eye.  Ultimately, this causes vision loss or even blindness.  Glaucoma Treatment is often achieved through the use of eye drops and medications.  In some cases, we treat the condition with lasers or surgery.  It’s important to remember that when it comes to glaucoma, early detection is key.  This is why those with diabetes need to be even more vigilant.  Make an appointment today.

Don’t Hesitate.  Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

Diabetic Eye Care is a must.  We encourage you to contact us today and schedule an Eye Exam.  Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Book your appointment at (540) 722-6200.

Sun protection is essential at this time of year when UV rays are at their highest. The strong sunlight during the summer months is linked to a variety of harmful effects, and the eyes are not spared from them. There are a number of eye conditions that may surface as a result of sun exposure.

Harmful Effects of the Sun on the Eyes

Some conditions that may occur as a result of UV exposure include:

• Cataracts
• Macular degeneration
• Skin cancer that occurs around the eyes
• A sunburned cornea

Some of these conditions are treatable, however, prevention is the better option.

Preventing Eye Damage from the Sun

In order to prevent eye damage from the sun, ensure that you wear sunglasses with appropriate UVA and UVB protection. In bright sunlight, a hat can also lend additional shade and protect the eyes. Of course, sunscreen should also be applied to the skin around the eyes. Sensitive formulas for the face are available to ensure irritation does not occur.

Reversing Sun Damage

For conditions like cataracts that may be treatable, please contact us.

There are a number of vision conditions that are prevalent in individuals with diabetes. As a result, it is essential that individuals suffering from the disease receive regular check-ups. It is also important that they are familiar with how their condition can impact their eyesight.

How the Eyes Change Due to Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you may experience one of the following eye conditions:

• Cataracts - individuals with diabetes have higher instances of cataracts. This is a condition that causes clouding over the lens of the eye. Blurred vision and greater difficulty processing bright light are a couple of the symptoms. This condition can be corrected with surgery.
• Glaucoma - this condition occurs when there is a build up of pressure in the eye due to inadequate drainage. This disease can have no symptoms for a period of time, so regular eye exams can ensure that this issue is treated early.

The conditions above can occur primarily due to the increased blood sugar that causes the lens of the eye to swell. An eye doctor that detects these issues in someone undiagnosed may also be the first to recognize the signs of diabetes.

Book Your Eye Exam

If you have diabetes and are due for an eye exam, contact our office to book an appointment.

We welcome all of our patients and friends to our blog.  We are looking forward to having you post here your experiences with our center.  We are particularly interested in hearing from you about how you did with your LASIK or cataract surgery and how it has effected your life.