Did you know that November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month? Diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment, so it’s important to be aware of the risks and what you can do to protect your vision. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of diabetic eye disease and offer some tips for keeping your eyes healthy if you have diabetes.
What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that can develop in people with diabetes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Diabetic eye disease includes four main types of eye problems.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This is when the blood vessels in the retina become damaged. There are two types of retinopathy: non-proliferative retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy.
Non-proliferative retinopathy is the early stage of diabetic retinopathy when small areas of bleeding and leaking occur in the retina. Proliferative retinopathy is the more severe stage when new blood vessels grow on the retina’s surface. These new blood vessels are very fragile and can leak blood into the center of the eye, causing vision loss.
Macular Edema
This is when fluid leaks into the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Macular edema can cause blurred vision or complete loss of central vision.
Glaucoma
This is when pressure builds up in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss if it’s not treated.
Cataracts
Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens of your eye that can cause blurred vision. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age than people without diabetes.
How Can I Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease?
The best way to prevent diabetic eye disease is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. You should also have an eye exam at least once a year so that any changes in your eyes can be detected early and treated accordingly. If you have diabetes, you should also quit smoking if you smoke, because smoking increases your risk for all types of diabetic eye disease.
Conclusion
By being aware of the risks and taking action to prevent diabetic eye disease, you can help keep your vision healthy for years to come! Contact us to schedule an eye exam and learn how you can keep your eyes healthy.