Patients with diabetes are much more likely to develop a blinding eye disease. Classic diseases for those who suffer from diabetes include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Recent studies have even exposed a low awareness of diabetes-related eye issues among ethnicities who are at a higher risk for diabetes.
Many Americans may not be doing all they can to protect themselves against vision loss caused by their diabetes. Given these new findings, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is encouraging people with diabetes to take proactive steps in order to protect their vision along with the rest of their health.
The first step in being proactive against diabetes-related vision loss is knowing the signs of diabetes. If a patient is unaware of his or her condition, the chances of deteriorating eyesight skyrocket. Common symptoms of diabetes include a sharp increase in the need to urinate at night, a seemingly unquenchable thirst, and blurred vision.
Often times there are no symptoms that signal the presence of diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose test and oral glucose tolerance test are two primary screenings health professionals use to diagnose diabetes. Patients who have been recently diagnosed and those who have been living with the disease for some time should immediately consult an eye doctor to determine a plan for eyecare alongside their other treatments.
A vision screening and eye checkup can lead to the discovery of diabetes in patients who do not exhibit other symptoms. Common signs include spots or strings that seem to float in the eye, which are known as floaters. Other symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred vision and dark areas in a patient’s field of vision.
Along with being vigilant to schedule checkups with a licensed eye care provider, there are other steps patients can take to protect their vision from the effects of diabetes. Monitoring and regulating blood sugar both go a long way in minimizing the potential for diabetic retinopathy. Too much sugar in your blood can damage your retinas over time.
The best way to be proactive in protecting your vision is visiting an eye care center. Call Palmetto Eye and Laser Center at 864-583-6381 or ask a question right from the website to request more information on how to protect your vision from diabetes related damage.
