Diabetes can increase the chances of vision problems. Diabetes is caused when the body is incapacitated to completely utilize the glucose levels in the body. Another case is that the body lacks insulin – which is responsible for regulating sugar levels. Such a situation leads to high sugar levels. In this event, some associated risks are nerve damage and hypertension. Sometimes, the nerves leading to the eyes may be damaged due to hypertension as well. Therefore, diabetes exposes a person to potential blindness. Treating diabetes early and leading a healthy lifestyle is important.
What are the symptoms of eye damage due to diabetes?
Diabetes has various ways to affect the quality of vision produced by the eyes. This medical condition causes blurry vision and even permanent optical nerve damage if left untreated. As soon as symptoms arise, patients are advised to seek medical help from a qualified eye clinic such as Houston LASIK & Eye in Houston. It is not a wise decision to wait until symptoms become more and more prominent to start thinking of consulting a doctor. A better approach would be to take up a periodic eye checkup.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
The retina captures light passes through the eye and sends this light message to the brain. High blood sugar levels cause damage to the internal nerves of the retina. This condition disables the retina’s potency to transmit messages to the brain. Over a period of time, the retinal function diminishes gradually. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, weak blood vessels grow through the retinal region, which may lead to total vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy can be detected through periodic eye examinations. A qualified eye clinic uses special angiograms to detect leaking blood vessels. Laser eye surgery such as LASIK can treat this condition if detected early. Using a laser, doctors seal the leakage. However, this procedure cannot restore the vision that has been lost. But with sustained treatment, blindness can be avoided almost completely.
But if the diabetic retinopathy is in a severe state, an eye doctor generally recommends the vitrectomy procedure. This procedure eliminates blood vessels and scar tissue along with the fluid from the damaged eye. This surgical procedure prevents total blindness if done before the disease has advanced into a critical stage.
How to prevent diabetic retinopathy
It is important to control the intake of sugar and fatty food. A lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol enables the body to manage its glucose faculties better. The onus is on the patient to change from a diabetic state to a healthy state. This is because, the longer a person is diabetic, the higher their risks to develop diabetic retinopathy. Another important consideration is to undertake eye checkups at least two to three times a year. If an eye condition is detected early, patients can expect a cure 100% of the time.
Conclusion
Get expert medical advice on general eye health from a qualified eye clinic or eye doctor. Follow a disciplined lifestyle to induce a positive physiological process in your body.
Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS, and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Houston LASIK & Eye. Add. Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
