Diabetic Eye Disease Specialist

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is any condition that affects the eye that is directly linked to diabetes. These conditions worsen as blood sugar levels in the body fluctuate. This places stress on various parts of the eye, such as the retina, the optic nerve and the blood vessels that are located within the eye and the surrounding tissues. Diabetic eye disease can result in blurred vision, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and a host of other health conditions that may eventually lead to total blindness if the diabetes is not kept under control. The sooner the diabetes is treated and fluctuations in blood sugar are brought under control, the easier it is to treat any eye issues that become apparent.

Can It Be Prevented?

Diabetic eye disease may not be able to be completely prevented, but it can be controlled. As soon as a person is diagnosed with diabetes, his or her eye health should be closely monitored to ensure that the blood vessels in the retina and the surrounding tissues remain healthy and viable. If a person begins to have blurred vision or any other symptoms associated with certain types of eye disease, he or she should report them to their doctor immediately. Treating eye disease early is the best way to prevent vision loss. Regular eye examinations are an important tool in preventing blindness brought on by diabetic conditions.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

Laser surgery and the use of anti-inflammatory medications are the most common treatment options. Controlling diabetes and making sure blood sugar levels remain within appropriate ranges are also extremely important. The use of VGEF or “vascular endothelial growth factor,” is also a possibility. These injections can help shrink blood vessels that have become damaged and reduce the pressure on the back of the eye. The best treatment for any type of eye disease is early diagnosis and control of diabetes. Controlling blood sugar levels is the key to preventing damage to the blood vessels located within the eyes that result in vision loss.