For those with diabetes, you may not know how important regular eye exams are. When you have diabetes you are prone to an eye condition known as Diabetic Retinopathy. With early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy, this condition can be treated. Diabetic Retinopathy leads to severe vision loss. With regular eye exams, early signs of Diabetic Retinopathy can be detected and prevented. To better understand the effects of Diabetic Retinopathy, Eyewear Candy Optical RX RX would like to go into more about this eye disease’s effects and explain how it can be treated.
Should I Worry about Diabetic Retinopathy?
In the U.S. about 40% of those with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy. About 20% of those who develop Diabetic Retinopathy will be at risk of vision loss. Those who are at higher risks of developing diabetic retinopathy are the people that have had diabetes for a long period of time, those with higher A1C levels or those who have glucose control problems. Not only are diabetics prone to developing Diabetic Retinopathy, but they are also at higher risks for cataracts. Cataracts are when the lens of your eye clouds up. Other common eye conditions that diabetics are at risk of getting are macular degeneration. With early intervention you can prevent and treat Diabetic Retinopathy and other eye diseases brought on by diabetes. When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, make sure to schedule an eye exam at least once a year to monitor your eye’s health.
What are the Risks of Diabetic Retinopathy?
What is diabetic retinopathy and what happens to your eyes? The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of your inner eye. Its job is to change light and images as it sends signals through the nerves to your brain. Diabetes can cause damages to the blood vessels of the retina. When the blood vessels are damaged, this can cause impaired vision or blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading cause for blindness in the working ages of Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Often there is little signs or symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy until there is bleeding in the eye. At this point the damage is done. However, with routine eye exams, the retina and your eye’s blood vessels are constantly checked. If early stages of diabetic retinopathy are detected, steps can be taken to treat your eyes and preserve your vision.
Can a Regular Eye Exam Detect Diabetic Retinopathy?
So how is Diabetic retinopathy detected, you may ask? Diabetic retinopathy can be detected during a routine eye exam. An annual eye exam for those with diabetes includes dilation of the pupils. By dilating the pupils, it forces the pupils to stay open. The doctor will then use an instrument called ophthalmoscope and look inside your eyes. Looking into the eye can reveal everything about the eyes and if inflamed blood vessels are seen, steps can be taken to return the retina blood vessels back to a normal size and maintain healthier eyes.
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It cannot be stressed enough how important yearly eye exams are for those with diabetes. With routine eye exams you can prevent vision loss or total blindness with early intervention. If it is time to schedule your eye exam, contact Eyewear Candy Optical RX RX today.