November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Diabetic eye disease affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20-74. In honor of this month, we want to raise awareness about the risks of diabetic eye disease and what you can do to protect your vision.
Here’s what you need to know about diabetic eye disease.
What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems that can develop in people with diabetes. People with diabetes are at increased risk for developing cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. That’s why it’s so important for people with diabetes to have regular eye exams.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve, which carries information from your eyes to your brain. It is often associated with increased pressure in the eye. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss or even blindness if it’s not treated early on. People with diabetes are four times more likely to develop glaucoma than people without diabetes.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens and are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Cataracts are common in older adults, but people with diabetes can develop cataracts at younger ages.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a deterioration of the retina caused by damage from high blood sugar levels. It is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the United States.
How Can I Protect My Vision?
The best way to protect your vision is to control your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary. You should also have regular eye exams to detect any problems early and treat them before they cause vision loss.
If you have diabetes, make sure you see an eye doctor at least once a year for an eye exam. If you don’t have diabetes, you should still see an eye doctor regularly for screenings, but you may not need a dilated exam unless you have symptoms or other risk factors for eye diseases.
Conclusion
In summary, regular eye exams are crucial to protecting your eyesight when you have diabetes. Our eye doctors at Clarin Eye Care Center and Coral Gables Eye Care provide expert eye care for people with diabetes. Your eyes may seem fine, but the only way to know for certain is to get an eye exam. Schedule a diabetic eye exam today and make sure your eyes are healthy!