The effects of diabetes extend across the body, reaching even our delicate eyes. If left neglected, diabetic eye diseases can cause vision loss. Luckily, early detection can help protect your vision. This blog will look at how diabetes can affect your eyes and what measures you can take to protect your vision.
Solomon Eye Associates is fully equipped to offer expert eye care services, including thorough eye exams. Don’t waste any time; book your appointment today!
Unraveling the Adverse Impact of Diabetes on Vision
Cataracts
A cataract is caused by clouding of the eye's lens, resulting in progressively blurry vision. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels linked to diabetes can create structural changes in the lens of the eye, causing cataracts to form. Symptoms include:
- Cloudy or blurred vision
- Faded or yellowed appearance of colors
- Poor night vision
- Light sensitivity
- Seeing halos surrounding lights
Fortunately, surgery is a safe and effective treatment for cataracts.
Diabetic Macular Edema
The macula is a crucial part of the retina that controls central vision for tasks like reading and facial recognition. This part of the eye may experience swelling due to diabetes. As a result, you may experience the following:
- Blurry vision
- Gradually declining visual acuity
Since macular edema can occur in either eye, it can prove challenging to detect. Regular eye exams are invaluable in early identification, ensuring quick intervention. Treatment for macular edema often involves:
- Medication
- Eye drops
- Surgery
- Laser treatment
Diabetic Retinopathy
During the initial stages of this condition, blood vessels located at the rear of the eye may weaken, bulge, and leak. This damages the retina — the part of the eye responsible for transforming light into understandable signals for the brain. Over time, new blood vessels try to replace the damaged ones, leading to:
- Gradually deteriorating vision
- Unexpected vision loss
- Perception of shapes within the field of vision
- Blurriness
- Eye pain or reddening
Vision changes caused by diabetic retinopathy may go unnoticed because they are subtle. That’s why routine eye exams play a pivotal role in early detection, enabling prompt action.
Treatment options often include:
- Medication
- Laser treatment
- Surgical intervention
Each option carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages, which is why you should talk to the optometrists at Solomon Eye Associates to find the best option for you.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when excessive pressure within the eye impairs the optic nerve connecting our eyes to the brain. Certain types of glaucoma can be triggered by diabetic retinopathy, underscoring the significance of early screenings for individuals living with diabetes. Symptoms associated with glaucoma include:
- Blurred vision
- Gradual peripheral vision loss
- Eye pain
- Perception of colored rings around lights
Although all of these conditions are unique, early detection is still crucial to treat or manage them effectively.
Consult Solomon Eye Associates for Diabetes-related Eye Symptoms
If you have diabetes or are suffering from any of these symptoms even without a diabetes diagnosis, it’s vital to schedule an eye exam with your optometrist. The team at Solomon Eye Associates is standing by to help you preserve your vision.