Diabetes and Its Impact on Vision
Understanding Diabetes-Related Eye Conditions and How We Manage Them
Diabetes can have a significant impact on your vision and eye health. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can damage the delicate structures of the eye, leading to several potential complications that threaten your sight.
Diabetes and Its Impact on Vision
Understanding Diabetes-Related Eye Conditions and How We Manage Them
Diabetes can have a significant impact on your vision and eye health. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can damage the delicate structures of the eye, leading to several potential complications that threaten your sight.
How Diabetes Affects Vision
✅ Diabetic Retinopathy: A condition where high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, leading to swelling, leakage, or abnormal vessel growth. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause significant vision loss.
✅ Cataract Progression: Diabetes can accelerate the development of cataracts, clouding the eye’s natural lens and impairing vision.
✅ Dry Eye Disease: Diabetes can reduce tear production and increase the risk of dry eye, causing discomfort, irritation, and blurred vision.
✅ Decreased Corneal Sensitivity: Diabetes can impair nerve function in the cornea, reducing sensation and contributing to undiagnosed or poorly managed dry eye disease.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when prolonged high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina. There are two stages:
✅ Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): In the early stage, weakened blood vessels leak fluid or bleed, causing swelling in the retina. Vision may still be normal, but close monitoring is essential.
✅ Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): In this advanced stage, abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina and may bleed into the eye’s interior, causing severe vision loss or blindness without prompt treatment. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy can be devastating to vision if not treated appropriately.
How We Diagnose and Manage Diabetes-Related Eye Conditions
At Hi-Line Eye Care, we use advanced diagnostic tools to detect, monitor, and manage diabetes-related eye issues:
✅ Electroretinography (ERG): ERG evaluates retinal function, helping us identify early signs of retinal damage before vision loss occurs. It also helps determine your future risk of converting to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, allowing us to take steps to manage that risk.
✅ Fundus Photography: High-resolution images provide a detailed look at the retina’s blood vessels and overall health, allowing us to track changes over time.
✅ Macular Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This imaging technology captures cross-sectional images of the macula, helping us detect swelling or fluid buildup associated with diabetic retinopathy.
✅ Dilated Eye Exams: A thorough dilated exam allows us to assess the retina’s condition, identify early signs of diabetic eye disease, and evaluate your overall eye health.
Collaborative Care for Better Outcomes
Managing diabetes-related eye conditions requires a team approach. At Hi-Line Eye Care, we:
✅ Communicate with Your Primary Care Provider (PCP): We share our findings to ensure your diabetes management plan supports your eye health.
✅ Ask About Your A1c: Knowing your A1c levels helps us understand how well your diabetes is controlled, allowing us to better protect your vision. We’ll ask about your A1c at every diabetic eye exam — so be sure to know your numbers!
Protect Your Vision with Comprehensive Diabetic Eye Care
If you have diabetes, routine eye exams are critical for detecting issues early and preventing vision loss. Contact Hi-Line Eye Care today to schedule your diabetic eye exam and learn how we can help you preserve your sight for years to come.