diabetes, the more likely the blood vessels. in the Diabetes can damage the small vessels that Convenient home delivery of diabetes testing supplies, …
Eye Disease
What is the Most Common Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic retinopathy Diabetes can damage the small vessels that carry blood to the thin light-sensitive lining of the back of the eye called the retina The retina sends picture messages through the optic nerve to the brain When blood glucose levels remain high for a long period of time, the small vessels can leak, swell or break You may not experience any symptoms or even notice any changes in your vision However, over time and without treatment, these changes could result in loss of vision or blindness the retina However, having regular eye exams has been shown to detect changes to the eye, thus decreasing the risk of visual impairment or blindness
What are the Symptoms?
Often, there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease Vision may not change until the disease becomes severe There is usually no pain Since the individual may not experience any symptoms during the early stages of eye disease, an eye examination is strongly recommended
Who is at Risk?
Anyone with diabetes The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he or she will develop diabetic retinopathy After 10 years of diabetes, half of all people
have some changes in the retina After 15 years, almost all people with the disease have some changes in
How is Retinopathy Treated?
Your eye care specialist may suggest laser surgery in which a strong light beam is aimed at the retina to shrink the abnormal blood vessels Talk with your eye care specialist if any changes in the retina are noticed during your eye exam
People with diabetes are more likely than other people to develop problems with their eyes Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of this disease These diseases include: Diabetic retinopathy damage to the blood vessels in the retina back of the eye Cataract clouding of the eye lens Glaucoma increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision
Facts
1 Anyone with diabetes has an increased risk for eye disease The longer you have diabetes, the more likely the blood vessels in the retina will be damaged diabetic retinopathy 2 Often, diabetic retinopathy will have no symptoms and your vision will not be affected until the damage has become severe
Tips
1 See an eye specialist for a complete eye exam at
least once every year 2 Keep your blood pressure under control and your A1c test results below 7
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Dedicated to helping our patients manage their diabetes
What Can You Do To Help Prevent Eye Disease? 1 Maintain good control of your blood glucose levels A1c test results below 7 2 Keep your blood pressure in the normal range 3 See an eye care specialist for a dilated eye exam every year A complete eye exam includes putting drops into your RESULT GOAL DATE eyes to open up, or dilate the pupils This lets the doctor see the small blood vessels on the retina at the back of your eye for any changes 4 Report any eye problems or vision changes you may have to your doctor 5 Stop smoking Smoking can damage small blood vessels, especially in the eye 6 If you are pregnant and have diabetes, have your eyes checked in the first three months of your pregnancy My next eye appointment:
BLOOD TEST
My eye doctors name: Phone Number
Notes
PO Box 20005, Fort Pierce, FL 34979-0005 Visit us on the web at wwwLibertyMedicalcom
Convenient home delivery of diabetes testing supplies, prescription medications, A1c testing and ostomy supplies Call Liberty Toll-Free at 1-800-353-0206 to learn
more about our services
Adapted from Roche Quick Tips series by Roche Diagnostics Corporation
Source:greenhosp.org
