Diabetes is a condition in which the body is not ready to suitably use and store glucose, a kind of sugar planned to be used by the body for energy to perform diverse bodily functions. In like manner, this sugar gathers in the bloodstream and causes one's glucose level to climb to higher than average levels. This can lead to various complications all through the body, especially in the eyes. Experienced diabetic eyecare incorporates extensive eye exams every year in order to minimize the risk of diabetes related eye conditions going undetected and untreated.
Dr. Hendrickson of Clarity Eye Care in Lombard, IL states, "Diabetes is the fundamental cause of visual impairment in adults between the ages of 20 and 74. Between the years 2005 and 2008, 4.2 million diabetes patients in the United States developed a serious diabetes related eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. This is an eye condition in which high glucose levels cause blood vessels in the eye to begin leaking fluids or to end up completely closed off. Without proper care, this condition can lead to severe vision loss or even blindness. People with diabetes have furthermore ended up at greater risk of glaucoma and early development of cataracts. Even so, 1 in 4 people with diabetes disregard to take after their optometrist's recommendation to have a yearly eye exam, which results in irreversible loss of vision and other damaging results."
Since various diabetes related conditions show no signs until clear damage has occurred, early detection is key. Catching signs of diabetes related eye conditions early on requires that people take after their eye doctors's recommendation to have a thorough eye exam once every year. This comprehensive eye exam involves dilating your eye so that the pupil is enlarged, allowing your optometrist a more broad window through which to examine the retina. The retina can tell signs of retinopathy and other eye conditions that could be brought on by your diabetes. The eye exam in like manner utilizes a tonometry test, in which a quick puff of air is blown into your eye or a delicate pressure tip is gently set close or against it. This measures your inside eye fluid pressure. If your eye doctor recognizes that your internal eye fluid weight is higher than regular, this may be an indication of glaucoma. Estimations show that early detection with an eye exam, quality treatment and consistent follow-ups can diminish your risk of ocular harm by these conditions by as much as 95%.
Aside from the recommended optometrist visit each year, there remain different symptoms that you need to pay extra attention to, where you should not sit tight for your scheduled, yearly exam before seeing your eye doctor. Dr. Hendrickson clarifies, "If your vision blurs, you are seeing twofold, or one or both of your eyes hurt, it is recommended that you call your eye doctor immediately. In case your eyes get red and remain that way, you feel pressure in your eye, or you continue to see spots or floaters in your vision, these can symptoms of a major eye issue related to your diabetes."
For more information or to arrange your intensive developed eye exam, contact Dr. Hendrickson today