Diabetes

Who needs diabetic eye care?

If you suffer from type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, it's important to have regular comprehensive eye exams at Woodcliff Lake Ophthalmology. 

If you have prediabetes, in which you don't have diabetes but are at risk because of high blood glucose levels, you may still need close monitoring to prevent eye damage.

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease is any kind of eye disease that develops in a diabetes sufferer. All types of diabetic eye disease are serious and can cause a significant decrease in vision or potentially even blindness. Diabetic eye disease can include:

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease. It develops when high blood sugar levels damage your retinal blood vessels over time. Eventually, the blood vessels can swell, leak, or seal off to damage your retina. 

In advanced diabetic retinopathy, abnormal new blood vessels develop on the retinal surface. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to partial or total vision loss.

Diabetic macular edema

Diabetes can lead to diabetic macular edema, a condition in which fluid retention on your retina damages the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Diabetic macular edema can lead to blurry vision or even vision loss.

Cataracts

Cataracts aren't necessarily caused by diabetes. But, uncontrolled high blood sugar can contribute to cataract formation. Cataracts can cause blurry vision or even blindness. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, a disease in which your eye pressure is too high, can cause reduced vision or even blindness. It isn't always caused by diabetes, but having diabetes makes you twice as likely to develop glaucoma. 

Diabetes can also raise your risk for retinal vein occlusion, in which the veins connected to your retina get blocked. 

Even if you don't have diabetic eye disease of any type, diabetes can still affect your eye health. For example, major blood sugar changes can actually alter your eye lens shape temporarily to blur your vision. Once your blood sugar is stable, your lens retracts to normal. 

How is diabetic eye disease treated?

Diabetic eye disease treatment varies by condition, but may include:

• Monitoring
• Medication
• Intraocular injections
• Laser therapy
• Surgery, like cataract removal

No matter what kind of diabetic eye disease you have, your treatment must start with controlling your blood sugar. You can work with your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, and the Woodcliff Lake Ophthalmology team to manage your diabetes and maintain eye health.

Click the online scheduler or call Woodcliff Lake Ophthalmology for diabetic eye care now.