Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among people aged 18-64 years old, according to the American Diabetes Association. If you or a loved one lives with this condition, it’s important to know how it can affect the eyes and what kind of preventative care you can implement to keep yourself safe.
Warning Signs
Due to the nature of diabetes and how it can damage nerves and blood vessels, patients with this condition are much more susceptible to developing eye diseases that can ultimately result in vision loss and blindness. Cataracts and glaucoma are two examples of conditions that can start to develop over time, and can happen without the person realizing it at first.
Signs that you should look out for are as follows:
- Blurred vision
- Flashes of light
- Poor night vision
- Seeing “floaters”
- Dark spots or “holes”
In many cases, significant damage can occur before the patient notices any symptoms. In order to avoid this from happening, it’s recommended that diabetic patients have annual eye check-ups. You can easily schedule an appointment with Dr. Stefano at the Shenandoah Lasik & Cataract Center if you live in the Winchester, VA area and want to take care of your eye health.
Preventative Measures
There are a couple of ways you can prevent diabetes-related eye conditions from occurring. On top of receiving annual eye check-ups, you should also be monitoring your blood sugar levels by avoiding any severe fluctuations.
Keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure low is also important for your diabetic eye health, as well as not smoking and avoiding direct sunlight. Smoking can cause damage to your blood vessels, and exposure to harmful rays can expedite the progression of cataracts and other conditions.
Get Checked Today
The best way to keep yourself healthy from diabetic eye conditions is by getting checked out by a doctor. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Stefano at the Shenandoah LASIK & Cataract Center in Winchester, VA today by calling 540-722-6200.
