Diabetes

High blood sugar can cause serious problems in the eyes, including diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. Led by Bashir Tarraf, OD, Dearborn Eyecare helps people with diabetes protect their eye health and vision with regular diabetic eye exams in Dearborn, Michigan. If you have diabetes, don’t neglect your eyes. Schedule your exam by calling the office or clicking on the online scheduling tool now. 

What problems can diabetes cause in the eyes?

Diabetes can cause or contribute to several serious eye problems, including: 

Diabetic retinopathy
In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar damages the blood vessels that supply your retinas (the light-sensing cells in the back part of your eye). New and abnormal blood vessels can grow and leak blood, causing vision loss. About 9% of people with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. 

Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema is a complication of diabetic retinopathy. It happens when blood vessel leakage causes fluid buildup and swelling in the middle of the retina. It may
lead to vision loss. 

Cataracts
Cataracts occur when high blood sugar triggers a change in the structure of your eye lens. That speeds up the development of cataracts that cause a haze over your visual. Cataracts can cause cloudy vision or, in the most severe cases, blindness. About 32% of people with diabetes have cataracts. 

Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs due to damage to your optic nerve — the nerve that relays visual messages from your retinas to your brain. High blood sugar can spike the pressure inside your eyes. That damages the optic nerve and can cause vision loss. More than 7% of people with diabetes have glaucoma. 

This group of diabetic eye diseases can occur together or separately. All can cause irreversible vision loss if not diagnosed and treated.

When do I need diabetic eye exams?

Schedule diabetic eye exams at least once a year, based on the recommendations of your Dearborn Eyecare provider. 

Diabetic eye exams screen for eye disease, check your eyesight, and update your glasses or contacts as needed. If you develop a diabetic eye disease, your provider can recommend a treatment plan to stop vision loss. 

What treatments can reduce the effects of diabetes in the eyes?

Controlling your blood sugar level is the most important step in reducing the effects of diabetic eye disease, so Dearborn Eyecare strongly recommends seeing your medical doctor for treatment and regular monitoring.

If you have vision loss due to diabetic eye disease, updating your prescription can help you see clearly. For severe effects of diabetic eye disease, you may need to see an ophthalmologist for specialized care like intraocular injections or cataract removal. 

Schedule your diabetic eye exam by calling Dearborn Eyecare or clicking the online booking feature now.