Diabetes: What You Should Know

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. But many, almost one-third, don't know they have the disease and are at risk for vision loss and other health problems.

Unfortunately, a person can maintain relatively good vision for some time despite having severe eye disease from diabetes. This is a problem because, without symptoms, many patients do not know to seek appropriate treatment that can prevent future vision loss. Eventually, when the vision loss does occur, treatment is often less effective than if it had been instituted earlier and the vision loss may not be reversible.

Diabetic eye disease, a group of eye problems that affects those with diabetes, includes diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. The most common of these is diabetic retinopathy, which affects 5.3 million Americans age eighteen and older.

Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition in which the blood vessels inside the eye become damaged from the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes. The damage results in leakage from the blood vessels and poor blood flow. In some cases, abnormal blood vessel growth is stimulated and this can lead to bleeding within the eye and even retinal detachment. All of which may cause severe vision loss, even blindness.

Although the cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, both genetic and environmental factors such as obesity, smoking and lack of exercise appear to play roles. Early diagnosis of diabetes and most importantly, maintaining strict control of blood sugar and hypertension through diet, exercise and medication can help to reduce your risk of developing eye diseases associated with diabetes.

Diabetic Eye Doctors in West Los Angeles

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and The American Diabetes Association recommend a yearly dilated eye examination once you are diagnosed with diabetes. At the East West Eye Institute, we have experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists that can examine you for the effects of diabetic eye disease. It is important to remember that only an Eye MD (ophthalmologist) can treat diabetic eye disease however. Make an appointment promptly if you experience blurred vision and/or floaters that:

• Affect only one eye
• Last more than a few days
• Are not associated with a change in blood sugar