Regular Eye Care Appointments for Diabetics

Patients with diabetes are aware of many of the health challenges that come with the condition. However, studies show that a vast majority of those people are unaware that diabetes poses significant risks to the health of their eyes. Regularly scheduled appointments with an eye care professional can help detect any issues and prevent permanent negative effects on the eyes.

Diabetes can cause a variety of problems in a patient’s eyes, including some that can lead to blindness ifthey are not addressed. Among these are diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where the small blood vessels in the retina are damaged. Increased pressure inside the eye is the defining trait of glaucoma. Cataracts are cloudy areas on the lens of the eye. These and other issues can be caused by diabetes and can lead to vision loss.

Often these conditions go undiagnosed and untreated for long periods of time, increasing the amount of damage caused. This is due to the fact that diabetic eye diseases can develop undetected and progress for a long time without showing any symptoms at all. By the time the patient begins to notice signs of vision problems, the disease can already be in an advanced stage, making treatment and full recovery of vision less likely. Scheduling appointments with an eye doctor at least once a year can reduce the risk of vision loss by increasing the likelihood that a disease will be detected.

During an annual checkup, an ophthalmologist or optometrist will perform several different tests and examinations to check the patient’s vision.  One of these is called a dilated retinal exam. In this exam, special eye drops are administered to temporarily keep the pupils in a constant state of dilation. This allows the doctor to see into the back of the eye more easily to detect possible damage. If any issues are discovered, there are a variety of treatments available, including laser eye surgery and injections of medication.

Though diabetic eye diseases and vision loss are a common problem for patients with diabetes, most people are unaware of this and do not take the proper preventative measures. Routine eye exams by an eye doctor can decrease the risk of vision loss by making patients aware of conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Treatment is possible and can restore normal vision, if the disease is discovered in its early stages. For more information about optician service in Carlsbad, visit this website.