Protecting Your Vision While Living with Diabetes
Diabetes is a prevalent health concern in California, affecting approximately 3.5 million residents. While diabetes is known to impact the heart and kidneys, it can also have serious consequences for your ocular health. This condition can lead to sight-threatening complications that often progress without any initial pain or warning signs.
If you’re living with diabetes, incorporating annual eye exams into your diabetes management plan is vital. Comprehensive eye exams are the most effective way to detect diabetic eye disease before your vision is significantly impacted. By visiting an optometrist regularly, you can take a proactive approach to your long-term wellness.Visit one of our convenient locations across the Inland Empire for your proactive diabetic eye exam.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?
When you have diabetes, your body may struggle to manage blood sugar levels effectively. Over time, high blood sugar can cause damage to the tiny, delicate blood vessels throughout your body, including those in your eyes.
This damage can cause vessels to leak fluid or swell, which interferes with your ability to see clearly. If left untreated, these changes can lead to several types of diabetic eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. Protecting your sight starts with routine monitoring through annual eye exams.
Diabetic Eye Diseases We Monitor
At Opticore, we perform comprehensive eye health evaluations to look for complications related to diabetes. We use technology like the Optos Daytona device for wide-field retinal imaging, giving us a detailed view of your eye’s internal structures. At our Redlands location, we can also perform OCT scans for those at risk of glaucoma or other conditions to provide deeper insights into your eye health.
You may notice symptoms like blurry vision as your blood sugar levels fluctuate, but many conditions don’t have noticeable symptoms.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina. These vessels can swell and leak, or even close off completely, stopping blood flow.
In some cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina, which can lead to serious vision interference. Regular screenings help us track these changes and begin treatment before they become permanent.
Diabetic macular edema is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy and involves a buildup of fluid in the macula, the part of your eye responsible for sharp, central vision. This swelling can make it difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces.
Diabetic macular edema can lead to lasting central vision loss. We use imaging technology to detect this swelling in its early stages.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which naturally occurs with age. However, individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at an earlier age. We monitor the clarity of your lens during every diabetic eye exam.
Living with diabetes doubles your risk of developing glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. This damage is often caused by increased pressure inside the eye, which can lead to a loss of peripheral vision. Because the symptoms of glaucoma appear very slowly, routine pressure checks and visual field tests are a vital part of your care.
How to Prevent Sight Loss from Diabetes
Most diabetes-related eye problems develop due to poorly regulated blood sugar, but other systemic issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and anemia can also play a role. Maintaining a balanced diet, staying active with regular exercise, and sticking to the medication regimen set by your primary care provider are all essential steps in protecting your sight.
In addition, routine annual eye exams are an integral part of your general diabetes management plan. Because your optometrist can often see the first signs of complications through the small blood vessels of the eye, these exams are a key point of contact for both your overall health and in preventing the progression of eye diseases.
Partnering with You for Long-Term Eye Health
Managing diabetes is a lifelong journey, and your vision is one of your most valuable assets. By combining consistent medical management with annual eye screenings, you can significantly reduce the risk of preventable vision loss. Our team is dedicated to providing the care and diagnostic imaging necessary to help you maintain your eye health for years to come.
We are proud to serve patients across our various Greater Los Angeles offices. Please contact us today to book your diabetic eye exam at the location nearest you and take the next step in your preventive care plan.
Find Your Perfect Fit
with Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can provide you with a convenient and flexible alternative to glasses for clear vision. At Opticore, we provide dedicated contact lens exams and fittings to find the right style of lens for your vision needs.
Our optometrists provide a thorough exam that assesses your eye health, measures your contact lens prescription, and precisely maps the shape of your eye to find the perfect fit. Each of our locations also offers a local contact lens ordering system, making it easy for patients to reorder lenses through their preferred clinic.
Whether you are a first-time contact lens wearer or a seasoned pro, our team will work closely with you to make sure that your lenses are providing you with the visual clarity and comfort you deserve.
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