Diabetes is a condition that is connected to your eye health and vision and can affect them in a variety of ways. Those with diabetes may experience blurry vision when trying to read or see from a distance, floating spots in their line of vision, blindness, or poor night vision.
Importance of Annual Eye Exams for Diabetic Patients
At your annual eye exam, your doctor will be able to detect signs inside of your eye that your diabetes is affecting your vision. These signs include:
Bleeding
Abnormal fluids
Swelling
These signs may be discovered at your eye exam before you are even diagnosed with diabetes, making your annual eye exam a crucial part of maintaining your health and your vision. When caught early, these symptoms can be treated, but once your vision is lost, it can not be reversed. This is why we focus on proactive eye exams and prevention to ensure you maintain your vision and eye health.
Types of Diabetic Eye Disease
There are three types of diabetic eye diseases that you can be affected by with a mild to severe case, including:
Diabetic Macular Edema– This is localized swelling of the macula that affects the central vision. Those affected by this will notice visual distortion or changes in their usual prescription. For some, there may not be any immediate symptoms. If this is left untreated, long-term damage to the macula can occur.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy– This condition is where bleeding and leaking, along with the growth of fragile blood vessels, occur along the inside surface of the retina. When left untreated, the vessels will create scar tissue, which can lead to retinal detachment and possible permanent vision loss.
Non- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy-This disease causes localized bleeding and leaking due to damage to the small blood vessels in your retina.
Schedule Your Annual Eye Exam Today!
At Dittman Eyecare, we provide our patients with comprehensive eye exams, focusing on catching symptoms early in order to preserve your vision and eye health. Contact us today to schedule your next eye exam!