Diabetes is the
leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as
the number of people living with diabetes increases, so does the number of
people with impaired vision. Diabetes can cause a disease of the eye called diabetic retinopathy (DR). In its early
stages, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you
cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected
and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently. A
recent study, conducted at Centers for
Disease Control
found that the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was high, affecting almost
one-third of adults over age 40 years with diabetes, and more than one-third of
African-Americans and Mexican Americans.
If you or someone
you know has diabetes there are important steps you can take to prevent vision
loss including a) maintain good control of your blood sugar and blood pressure
with diet, exercise and medications prescribed by your physician, b) having
regular eye exams as recommended by your eye doctor. Depending on how long you
have had diabetes and the health of your retina, your eye doctor may recommend
specialized testing including scans and pictures in order to monitor changes
that occur from diabetic retinopathy. Be sure to follow up on appointments and
testing.
The key to
preventing vision loss from diabetes and diabetic retinopathy is early
detection, diagnosis and treatment if necessary.
If you or someone you know is concerned about diabetes and diabetic eye
problems such as diabetic retinopathy please be sure to schedule an eye exam at The Eye
Clinic of Texas, an affiliate of Houston Eye Associates, at 800-423-3937, visit
The Eye Clinic of Texas, or facebook.com/ecot.lasik.
The Eye Clinic of Texas is an affiliate of
Houston Eye Associates, the largest ophthalmology clinic in the nation. We are
a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City
and Texas City with offices at 1100 Gulf Freeway, Suite 114, League City, Texas
77573, 7111 Medical Center Drive, Suite 110, Texas City, Texas 77590 and 2302
Avenue P, Galveston, Texas.