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Individuals living with diabetes have unique visual and ocular health needs, and are more likely to develop conditions such as glaucoma that could lead to vision loss. As such people with diabetes should visit their optometrist at least once per year, though depending on your particular situation, your optometrist may recommend more frequent exams.
Are you due for an eye exam?
A comprehensive eye exam can lead to the discovery and diagnosis of early-stage diabetes. That is just one of the many health related reasons that you should be visiting your optometrist regularly.
Diabetes affects our bodies in a variety of ways and has an impact on our vision and overall eye health. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop:
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs when diabetes damages the delicate blood vessels in our retinas. If allowed to progress untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.
Though almost everyone will develop cataracts as they age, individuals with diabetes are not only 60% more likely to develop cataracts, but more likely to form them at a younger age as well. People with diabetes may also find that their cataracts progress more rapidly than they would otherwise.
Those with diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma than those without the condition. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk. Untreated glaucoma can lead to optic nerve damage, resulting in peripheral vision loss. Glaucoma is particularly serious because in its early stages it exhibits no symptoms. Luckily, glaucoma can be detected using a comprehensive eye exam.
You are also more likely to experience blurry or double vision and frequent fluctuations in your eyeglasses prescription if you have diabetes.
Individuals with diabetes require specific care and attention when it comes to their eye exams and health care strategies. To ensure that your eyes are getting the treatment they need, Style Optique offers specially tailored diabetic eye exams.
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you should have a diabetic eye exam at least once per year. This is true even if you are not experiencing any problems with your sight or overall health, and are managing your blood sugar levels effectively.
For more information about our diabetic eye exams, or to schedule your next appointment, please contact our office.