Diabetic Eye Disease
Our optometrist doesn't just treat nearsightedness and farsightedness. Eye exams may be given to ensure people see optimally. However, our optometrists also see patients who have diabetic eye disease.
What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of conditions that are specific to patients with diabetes. Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, especially in patients who didn't always have their diabetes under control. Some examples of conditions that fall into this categorization include glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic macular edema (DME).
Can Diabetic Eye Disease Cause Blindness?
Our optometrists try to catch diabetic eye disease before it progresses to a point where it causes blindness. However, all forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to attribute to severe vision loss. In some cases, it will lead to blindness.
What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetic Eye Disease?
Generally, a person won't experience symptoms when the condition initially develops. Screening during eye exams in Huntersville may detect a problem before a person actually sees noticeable changes in vision. Bleeding around the affected retinal blood vessels may cause floating spots. The spots aren't always permanent, though. In most cases, the spots clear up without treatment. Sometimes, the eyes will ooze or leak. It's not uncommon for the bleeding to recur, but when it returns, it elevates the patient's risk of vision loss that isn't treatable. Patients with DME may experience blurred vision at first.
How Is Diabetic Eye Disease Diagnosed?
Patients who have diabetes may be urged to seek out the assistance of an optometrist to prevent blindness. The optometrist may catch the condition via a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This particular exam consists of the optometrist adding drops into the eye that dilate the pupils, which allows more light to enter into the eye. Our Huntersville optometry expert will use a specialized magnifying lens in order to see issues in all parts of the eye including the parts oftentimes damaged as a result of diabetes.
How Is Diabetic Eye Disease Treated?
Once a Huntersville optometry specialist diagnoses a patient with diabetic eye disease, the doctor will determine a course of action in an effort to preserve the vision as much as possible. The first step is to make sure the person's diabetes is currently being controlled and how well it is being controlled. For instance, our optometrist will inquire with the patient about medication usage. A patient must take prescribed medications regularly, or the diabetes may not be controlled adequately. The person must stay physically active and eat healthily. Weight loss, exercise and eating a healthy diet help an individual control blood glucose levels. Patients who don't have their diabetes controlled may need to get on a medication and make lifestyle changes in order to prevent further vision damage or loss.
To make an appointment for an eye exam at Lakeside Eye Associates, please call our Huntersville, NC optometry clinic at 704-896-3311.
16525 Birkdale Commons PkwyHuntersville, NC 28078
Office Hours
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThursday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFriday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday & Sunday CLOSED
16525 Birkdale Commons PkwyHuntersville, NC 28078
Office Hours
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMWednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThursday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMFriday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday & Sunday CLOSED