Why Going for Diabetic Eye Exam Does Matter?

In modern times, the number of diabetic patients is increasing rapidly. As we all know that diabetes can cause complications like cardiovascular disease or kidney damage. There is a relationship between diabetes and your eyes but there are very few people who are aware of the fact that diabetes can cause eye diseases. But it is important to be aware that diabetes can put a patient’s eyes in danger. Due to the high level of sugar in the blood, there is a risk of developing diabetic eye diseases. Going for a regular diabetic eye exam is the only option to detect this condition and get timely treatment.

Get A Better Understanding Of Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes leads to many kinds of diabetic eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataract. Researchers find out that cataracts are 3–4 times more preventable in diabetics even before the age of 65, and that risk grows with age. There is 1 in 15 people with diabetes will develop diabetic macular edema. Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetic eye disease that is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye and it is a vital part of the vision. Due to the high level of sugar in the blood, there is blockage of blood vessels in the retina. If this eye condition does not get timely treatment then it can result in vision loss and even blindness.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

• Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)
• Blurred vision.
• Fluctuating vision.
• Dark or empty areas in your vision.
• Vision loss.

It is considerable fact that in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy it doesn’t show any symptoms. Therefore it is recommended to schedule regular dilated eye exams so that early detection of ruptured vessels is possible before they cause bleeding, scarring, or vision loss.

What to Expect During Diabetic Eye Exam?

At Windy city retina, a retina specialist provides comprehensive diabetic eye exams to screen for damage before diabetic eye disease affects your sight. Dilated eye drops are used to widen the pupils, and that is helpful to get a clear view of your eyes and any signs of trouble. In this case, if eye doctors suspect you have diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, the screening test is performed by a specialist to get a closer picture of the blood vessels in your retina. The procedure of a diabetic eye exam is simple and painless and takes a few minutes more than a routine vision check.

About Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Eye Disease

You can save yourself from diabetic eye disease by managing diabetes. Prescribed medications, an active lifestyle, and practicing good eating habits can be helpful to manage diabetes. Despite having controlled blood sugar, it is good to Ophthalmologist Joliet il for a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Always remember; diabetic retinopathy does not show any kinds of symptoms at an early stage. It is a good idea to go for a dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if your blood sugar is under control.