Diabetes and the Eye
Chicago, Illinois
Diabetes and the Eye
The eye is particularly sensitive to the effects of elevated blood sugars. Most serious are the effects that diabetes can have on the retina, but can also lead to early cataracts and diabetics have an increased risk for glaucoma. Having diabetes for a longer period of time increases the chance of having diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is also more likely to occur earlier and be more severe if diabetes is poorly controlled. Nearly everyone who has had diabetes for more than 30 years will show some signs of diabetic retinopathy. The best way to prevent diabetic eye disease is to consistently keep blood sugars and blood pressure in the low normal range.
All diabetics should have a comprehensive dilated examination at least on a yearly basis. Diabetic retinopathy is a term for disorders of the retina caused by diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in younger Americans. The two main types of retinopathy are nonproliferative and proliferative. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness without treatment.
If it has been more than a year since you last had an examination, you recently became pregnant or just started an exercise program, please contact us to set up an appointment for an eye examination.
