The Unseen Danger Of Diabetes
Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness among adults.
November is National Diabetes Month and Lake Oconee Eye Care encourages anyone who has or may be at risk for diabetes to get their annual eye examination. “Diabetes affects 18.2 million Americans, 5.2 million of whom may not even know they have the disease,” Dr. Susan Lee said. “One of the health problems associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a disease of the eye that can cause blindness.”
Diabetic Retinopathy And Other Eye Conditions
Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Symptoms may include blurred vision, cloudiness, and/or “floaters.” Diabetes also increases a person’s risk for developing other eye diseases. For example, persons living with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma and 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts.
The Importance Of Early Detection
“The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may produce no visual symptoms at all,” Dr. Susan Lee said. “That is why it is so important for anyone who has diabetes or a family history of diabetes to have a yearly comprehensive eye health examination. Early detection and treatment are essential because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.”