Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to rise, which can cause damage to small blood vessels throughout the body, including the eye. All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. The optometrists at Eye Care Unlimited in the Bronx, New York, are ready to use their extensive experience to best treat diabetic eye disease. Call today to schedule an appointment.
Over 40% of patients diagnosed with diabetes develop some form of eye disease as a result. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing eye conditions because a high blood sugar level can damage small blood vessels in the eye. Diabetes can cause blood or fluid to leak from the retina or new blood vessels to grow on the surface of the retina, which can lead to significant damages to your vision. Adults with diabetes are also:
It is important for patients with diabetes to have dilated eye exams once a year to detect any signs of diabetic eye disease, such as changes to blood vessels, leaking blood vessels, swelling in the macula, or damage to nerve tissue. You can also minimize your risk of developing diabetic eye disease by:
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and is a leading cause of blindness in adults. It develops due to changes in blood sugar levels and commonly after 10 years of having diabetes. If high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels in the retina to leak blood or fluid, the retina may become swollen and form deposits.