How to take care of your eyes as a diabetic, and what can happen if you don’t.
Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects 11.3% of the US population. It can cause a range of complications, including serious eye damage in the form of diabetic retinopathy. For this reason, diabetic patients must take special care of their vision.
Diabetic Eye Care & Why You Should Care
Diabetic eye care involves monitoring the eyes for signs of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to blindness. Early detection and treatment of this condition are essential to preserving vision. Common red flags for retinopathy include blurred or fluctuating vision, dark spots or strings (floaters) in your vision, or complete loss of sight.
Retinopathy may cause little to no symptoms at first, bypassing early detection. The longer you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the more likely you are to develop symptoms due to the increased glucose levels which lead to blood vessel damage in the retina.
This is why it is recommended that all patients with diabetes have regular dilated eye exams with their optometrist or ophthalmologist. Diabetic retinopathy treatment is something we specialize in at Louisiana Retina.
How to Manage Diabetes for Vision Health
Managing diabetes is not something to take lightly. It requires constant monitoring of your blood sugar levels, eating healthy meals, getting regular exercise, and regular follow up with your PCP. Most studies recommend maintaining an average Hemoglobin A1C of 6.5 or less to reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy
Regular Eye Exams
You can safeguard against developing retinopathy by scheduling regular eye exams. An eye exam will detect the early signs of diabetic retinopathy and allow for early treatment– the earlier, the better.
Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may be reversible or may be monitored without treatment. If the disease progresses, laser treatment, intravitreal injections, and even surgery may be required to save your vision.
Receive Diabetic Vision Care in Baton Rouge, LA
If you live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or the surrounding areas and are a diabetic, you can receive excellent eye care at Louisiana Retina. We use evidence based medicine for performing diabetic retinopathy treatment, and our board-certified Ophthalmologists and Retina Specialists offer modern and compassionate care. Most treatments can be done in the office.