Diabetes

How can diabetes hurt my eyes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body produces and uses insulin, a hormone that helps your cells convert digested sugars into fuel. Without sufficient insulin, the sugars remain circulating in your bloodstream, where they damage the capillaries in your retina (a condition known as diabetic retinopathy).

Diabetes increases your risk for cataracts and glaucoma. It can also cause diabetic macular edema (DME), which is a buildup of fluid in the macular region of your retina.

What are the symptoms of diabetes-related eye conditions?

Diabetic retinopathy and DME don’t have symptoms. Dr. Canlas at Sunset Optometric Center identifies these conditions through a series of tests performed during your annual eye exam. Always let your optometrist know that you have diabetes.

Cataracts and glaucoma can lead to vision changes such as halos, double images, blurred or cloudy vision, and colors that look faded. You may also experience eye pain or sensitivity to light.

What are the consequences of untreated diabetes-related vision problems?

If you want to maintain healthy eyes and vision, it’s essential to keep your diabetes under control and to have your vision tested yearly at Sunset Optometric Centers. Neglecting your diabetes-related eye changes can lead to severe vision impairment and even blindness.

How does my optometrist identify diabetes-related vision problems?

Your optometrist may perform the following tests:

• Dilated eye exam: Eye drops dilate your pupils so the optometrist can check for leaking blood, swelling, structural changes, and other damage.
• Fundus photos: Highly magnified images of the back of your eye reveal the state of your retina, optic nerve, and main retinal blood vessels.
• Visual field tests: Those measure your ability to see at various distances and determine the scope of your vision.
• Tonometry: Your optometrist uses the tonometer to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the fluid in your eye
• Optical coherence tomography: Light waves capture detailed images from within your eyes’ retinas.

If you were given dilating eye drops, driving can be difficult. Arrange to have a friend, family member, or ride service to take you to and from the Sunset Optometric Center.

How are diabetic-related eye changes treated?

Each condition requires different treatments. Some options include:

• Lifestyle modifications
• Anti-VEGF injection therapy
• Vitrectomy (removal of cloudy vitreous humor)
• Laser surgery
• Corticosteroids
• Lens removal (cataracts)
• Photocoagulation

If you have diabetes, don’t wait until you start experiencing vision problems before scheduling an appointment at Sunset Optometric Centers. Call now to arrange a regular exam, or set one up online.