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November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Managing Your Vision While Managing Your Diabetes
If you’re one of the estimated 40.1 million people living with diabetes in the United States, you know how important it is to take good care of yourself—monitoring your blood sugar, watching your diet, taking your medication, exercising.
However, if you haven’t yet added an annual eye exam to your routine, you should. Diabetics are at greater risk for eye problems. However, proper eye care can lead to the early detection and early treatment of vision-related complications, including:
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma occurs when increased fluid pressure in the eyes damages the nerve fibers in the optic nerve. While glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss, its progression can be slowed if it’s detected and treated early. People with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes.
- Cataracts – A cataract clouds the eye’s lens, which blocks the passage of light. The condition is typically associated with aging, but diabetes makes you 2 to 5 times more likely to develop cataracts and more likely to develop them at a younger age.
- Diabetic Retinopathy – Retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults it can affect anyone with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. Its initial symptoms are very slight or even unnoticeable, diabetic retinopathy often goes undiagnosed. However, it can be detected during an annual comprehensive eye exam. Once detected, it can be treated by laser surgery.
Annual, comprehensive eye exams should be an important part of your diabetic care. These exams can help detect changes in your vision early on, enabling prompt referral and treatment that can lessen the risk of vision loss. In addition, be sure to see your eye care provider if you notice any of the following changes to your vision:
- Blurry
- Double or Cloudy Vision
- Pain or pressure in one or both eyes
- Trouble with peripheral vision
- Floating or Flashing Lights
- Dark spots
Living with diabetes means looking out for your health. When you take care of yourself, you can look forward to better disease management and minimizing vision complications.
For information about managing diabetes care, visit here.
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