Diabetic Eye Checks

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends diabetics have an annual dilated exam. This is done to look for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that can lead to blurred vision or even blindness. In the early stages of the disease, your doctor may see small areas of bleeding or leakage in the back of the eye. In some cases, treatments may be recommended to prevent vision loss from these changes. 

Some diabetic patients suffer from macular edema. Macular edema is a condition where the blood vessels start to leak in the macula, or sharp center of vision. This can lead to blurred vision. There are treatments for macular edema, including lasers and injections. 

Along with controlling blood glucose, it’s also important for diabetic patients to control their other systemic diseases. Good control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as quitting smoking can help prevent complications that can lead to permanent vision loss.