The Fidelis Care Blog

Did you know people with diabetes are more at risk for eye diseases? If you have diabetes, get your eyes checked every year. It is an important way to take care of your health. Finding and treating diabetic eye diseases early can lower the chance of severe vision loss by 95%.

A retinal or dilated eye exam is recommended for people who have diabetes. A dilated eye exam allows your eye doctor to check the health of your entire eye. The eye exam checks the nerves and small blood vessels of your eyes for damage caused by diabetes. If left undetected, this damage can lead to blindness.

Diabetes can damage your eyes, and high blood sugar levels can affect your vision. Keeping blood sugar levels in a safe range will lower the risk of getting diabetes-related eye conditions such as:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: damaged vessels in the eye that can lead to bleeding, blurred vision, and blindness
• Cataracts: cloudiness in the lens of the eye that causes vision problems
• Glaucoma: fluid build-up and pressure in the eye that damages nerves
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Damage to the back of the eye leading to blurry vision

Talk to your provider to schedule an eye exam today!

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-vision-loss.html

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/diabetic-eye-disease#:~:text=loss%20from%20diabetes%3F-,What%20is%20diabetic%20eye%20disease%3F,poor%20vision%20or%20even%20blindness.

https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2019-06/Stay-on-TRACK-To-Prevent-Blindness-From-Diabetes.pdf