The Basics: Diabetes and Your Eyes
- Posted on: May 15 2018
According to the Center for Disease Control, diabetes and pre-diabetes affect nearly 100 million Americans. If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may not know how diabetes plays a role in your overall vision health. Here at Physicians Eye Clinic, we treat a variety of diabetic eye conditions. Let’s take a closer look at what diabetes means for you and your vision health.
You’re At a Higher Risk
Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing eye conditions as a result. These issues include cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy which can lead to things like vision loss or even blindness in some instances.
You Need Frequent Eye Exams
Because there is no cure yet for patients with cataracts or glaucoma, an early diagnosis is critical. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated for these conditions, the less likely you are for it to turn worse. As such, we encourage patients with diabetes to get an eye exam at least every year.
It’s Common
According to studies, at least 40% of patients with diabetes will develop an eye disease or condition at some point in their life. Which means that if you have diabetes, there is a high probability of you developing some eye condition as a result of this disease.
It May Be Preventable
Patients who manage their blood sugar, weight, and cholesterol well are less likely to suffer from these eye conditions. If you have diabetes, make sure that you are regulating your insulin levels, blood sugar, getting frequent exercise, and are taking the best care of yourself as possible.
If you were recently diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first things you should do is schedule an eye examination at Physicians Eye Clinic. Ready to schedule your first appointment? Contact our Everett office today and call: (425) 259-2020.
Posted in: Diabetic Eye Disease
