November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, so we will share information and tips in this article to raise awareness about this important topic.
Diabetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment, and it’s important to get your eyes checked if you have diabetes. Here are some things you should know about diabetic eye disease.
What is diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems that can develop in people who have diabetes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your retina, the back part of your eye, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common type of diabetic eye disease, and it’s a leading cause of blindness in adults. Diabetic macular edema is another type of diabetic eye disease, and it’s when fluid leaks into the macula, the part of your retina that allows you to see fine details clearly. Both diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema can cause vision loss or blindness if they’re not treated.
Who is at risk for developing diabetic eye disease?
Anyone with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic eye disease. However, people with type 1 diabetes are usually diagnosed at a younger age and tend to have diabetes for a longer period than people with type 2 diabetes, so they’re more likely to develop diabetic eye disease.
People with uncontrolled diabetes also have a higher risk of developing diabetic eye disease. That’s why it’s important to keep your blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes.
How can I prevent diabetic eye disease?
The best way to prevent diabetic eye disease is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. You should also schedule regular eye exams with an optometrist who can detect signs of diabetic eye disease in its early stages.
Conclusion
If you have diabetes, it’s important to get your eyes examined at least once a year by an eye care professional. At Omaha Primary EyeCare, our eye doctors provide diabetic eye exams.
You should also keep your blood sugar levels under control to help prevent or treat diabetic eye disease. If you have any questions about diabetic eye disease, please don’t hesitate to contact our office or schedule an appointment for an eye exam.
