Diabetes

Up to 40% of people with diabetes develop some form of retinopathy, a type of eye damage caused by high blood sugar. At Meriden Eye Care, LLC, with offices in Meriden and Fairfield, Connecticut, skilled optometrist Luiza Youssefi, DO, and the team specialize in diagnosing and treating diabetes-related eye problems. Routine checkups and healthy lifestyle changes can protect your vision and reduce the risk of complications. Call the nearest Meriden Eye Care, LLC, office to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online today.

How does diabetes affect the eyes?

Diabetes, a group of chronic diseases caused by high blood sugar, affects your eyes in various ways. If you don’t take steps to keep your blood sugar within the optimal range, you’re more likely to experience certain eye problems, including:

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy causes new blood vessels to form at the back of your eye near your retina –– a piece of tissue that converts light to electrical signals that your brain interprets into images. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid, damaging your retina and causing vision loss.

Cataracts

Cataracts cloud the clear lens of your eye, affecting your vision. Anyone can experience cataracts, but poorly managed diabetes increases your risk. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic condition that causes higher-than-average eye pressure (intraocular pressure). Without treatment, that pressure can damage your retina and optic nerve –– two components essential for vision. 

There’s no cure for glaucoma, but there are various treatments that can slow its progression and preserve your eyesight.

Dry eyes

Everyone experiences dry eyes occasionally, but diabetes increases your risk of lasting problems. That’s because diabetes damages the nerves in your eyes, affecting tear production.

How does an eye doctor diagnose diabetes-related vision problems?

Your Meriden Eye Care, LLC, provider completes a comprehensive eye exam. They dilate your pupils with special eye drops and assess your visual acuity (sharpness), depth perception, and eye movement. 

They also use advanced imaging techniques, including retinal imaging and transcranial Doppler, to check for diabetes-related eye problems.

Retinal imaging lets your provider see the back of your eye, including your retina, while transcranial Doppler uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the blood flow in and around your brain. Abnormal circulation often indicates diabetic cerebrovascular changes.

If your provider determines you have a diabetes-related vision problem, they develop a personalized treatment plan to protect your eyes and vision.

How often should I visit the eye doctor if I have diabetes?

The Meriden Eye Care, LLC, team recommends that everyone with diabetes visit the office once annually for an eye exam. Diabetes-related eye problems typically develop slowly over time. Routine checkups present a chance to monitor these conditions and prevent them from worsening. 

Moreover, routine eye exams educate you on how to keep your diabetes from causing more serious problems. Specifically, your eye doctor educates you on how to keep your blood sugar in check through healthy lifestyle changes and preventive care.

If you have an advanced form of a diabetes-related vision issue, more frequent visits may be necessary to monitor your condition and maintain your vision.

Call the nearest Meriden Eye Care, LLC, office to schedule diabetes-related eye care, or book your appointment online today.