Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye related conditions one may face secondary to their underlying diabetes; including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. All people diagnosed with diabetes, both Type I and Type II, are at risk for the development of diabetic eye disease, and that is why doctors will recommend a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least one time per year. The poorer the control of the blood sugar levels, along with the longer someone has been diagnosed with diabetes, may indicate an increased risk for the development of this disease.

Over 25 million Americans, or just over 8% of the population, have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Approximately 4.0 million Americans age 40 and older have diabetic eye disease, 900,000 of which have complications that can result in a loss of vision. Diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness in working class adults. Despite these numbers and public education, diabetic eye disease is often under-diagnosed and under-treated.

Early symptoms of diabetic eye disease are often undetected by the individual. One shouldn’t wait for symptoms, like a decrease in vision, to develop before seeking treatment from an eye professional. Early detection and treatment of this condition will drastically reduce the chances of sustaining permanent vision loss. Call today for an appointment if you are diabetic and have not had your eyes dilated in the last year.