Diabetic Eye Care in Kansas City, MO

Why Is Diabetic Eye Care Important?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s ability to process and store sugar is impaired. Approximately sixteen million Americans have diabetes. Five million are at risk for vision loss because they don’t know they have diabetes. Diabetics are twenty-five times more likely to become blind than those without the disease. 

Diabetic eye exams are important because they allow specialists to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy early on. Regularly scheduling diabetic eye checks is important because it helps to prevent further damage to your eyes. Working closely with your optometrist or ophthalmologist, it may be recommended that you schedule a six-month checkup in addition to a yearly eye exam to monitor the health of your eyes.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes caused by the deterioration of blood vessels in the retina. This condition causes scarring and abnormal blood vessel formation due to high blood sugar levels. It can lead to blurred or obstructed vision and, if left untreated, permanent eyesight loss or blindness. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your chances are of developing this condition.

Diabetic Macular Edema

As the blood vessels change, fluid can begin to leak from the blood vessels and cause the retina to become swollen, a complication of diabetic retinopathy called diabetic macular edema. This can lead to blurring of a patient’s central vision. Fortunately, this is often treatable with eye injections or laser surgery. 

Glaucoma

Globally, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. People living with diabetes are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased pressure in the eye, which can cause blindness when left untreated. The increased pressure damages ocular blood vessels and nerves.

Diabetes can lead to two different types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma or angle-closure glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and occurs slowly over the patient’s lifetime. Diabetic glaucoma symptoms include a loss of peripheral vision. Often, the patient doesn’t realize they have this condition until damage to the optic nerve is severe and they are at risk of going blind. This is why it is important to schedule regular diabetic eye exams to detect glaucoma early on.

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the angle between the cornea and iris narrows due to a sudden increase in eye pressure. It is less common and the symptoms, including headache, blurred vision, and pain may occur quickly.

Diabetes and Cataracts

If you are a person living with diabetes, cataracts may develop at an earlier age than for those who do not have diabetes. This means the lens inside your eye will become cloudy, leading to blurry vision and glare. Fortunately, the expert eye doctors at Discover Vision Centers are able to treat this problem with cataract surgery and restore vision.

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that can occur for various reasons, including age, a previous eye injury or certain conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. During a retinal detchment, the retina will begin to separate from the rest of the eye, which can lead to permanent vision loss in a matter of hours if left untreated. Symptoms include flashes of vision loss or floaters in your eyesight.

How Often Should Those With Diabetes Have an Eye Exam?

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to stay on top of your eye health. Ninety percent of diabetes-related eye disease is preventable, and it is important to schedule appointments even if you are not experiencing symptoms of eye disease. One to two exams a year are recommended for those living with diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, you should schedule your first exam within five years of your diagnosis, whereas those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should schedule an exam immediately upon diagnosis. If you are currently living with diabetes, and are experiencing any symptoms of eye disease or vision loss, it is important that you schedule an eye exam right away.

What to Expect at Your Diabetic Eye Screening?

During a diabetes eye examination, your doctor will use special eye drops to dilate your pupil, allowing them to see into the back of your eyes to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy. These drops are painless but will cause slightly blurred vision and light sensitivity, so it is important that you come to your appointment with sunglasses and someone who can drive you home following your diabetic eye test. The office may provide you with temporary sunglasses to be worn during sun exposure following your exam, or you are welcome to wear your own sunglasses. The amount of time it takes to readjust after dilation is different for everyone. Wearing sunglasses is an important step in protecting your vision until your pupils readjust after being dilated.