What you Need to Know about Diabetes and Vision Loss

The number of individuals with diagnosed diabetes has shown an incredible increase in the past 15 years, and is only expected to rise in the future.  It’s commonly known that diabetes can cause problems due to an excess of sugar in the blood, but many people overlook the role this diabetes can play in the health of your eyes and the preservation of your vision.  Let’s take a closer look at diabetes and vision loss. 

How Can Diabetes Affect My Eyes?

If diabetes is uncontrolled, it can adversely affect the blood vessels throughout the body.  The vessels in the back of the eye that provide the retina with necessary circulation are particularly susceptible to these negative changes.  These delicate vessels can become leaky or swollen, or they may clog up and prevent blood from flowing properly inside the vessels.  When the vessels are compromised, the condition is called diabetic retinopathy, and it can be a serious threat to vision.  If left untreated, it could eventually cause severe vision loss or blindness.

What Symptoms Should I Watch For?

Oftentimes, diabetes can damage the back of the eye and cause vision loss without causing symptoms.  As the condition becomes more severe, it may eventually cause blurred vision or changes in prescription before resulting in a more serious loss of vision.  This silent nature of the condition means that it is vital for those with diabetes to have comprehensive eye exams regularly with an eye care professional.  Your optometrist can monitor the back of your eyes to ensure that there are no diabetic changes occurring in the retina, and can communicate with your primary care physician if any problems arise.

How Can I Prevent Vision Loss From Diabetes?

In addition to monitoring ocular health with regular eye exams, it is important to work with your primary care physician to properly control blood sugar levels via diet and exercise, medication, or a combination of treatments.  By closely monitoring the condition and maintaining control over your sugar,  the complications of diabetes and vision loss can be avoided.

The next time you find yourself thinking about diabetes and vision loss, call us at (610) 828-9701. We serve Lafayette Hill, Norristown, and Philadelphia, PA.