Diabetes can result in eye health complications, so knowing ways to care for your eyes can help you through the struggle. Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include cataracts, glaucoma, and non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy. Keep reading to understand the different types of eye complications and find out how to maintain eye care, and how to prevent major problems.
Cataracts
Although not always occurring due to diabetes, cataracts can be difficult to avoid while being diabetic. In fact, many people who are diabetic develop cataracts at a very young age and the issue only escalates from that point. To treat this, the option to have surgery is most definitely available, however, you can prevent cataracts from worsening by protecting your eyes from the sun as much as possible.
Glaucoma
Much like developing cataracts, people with diabetes have a risk of having Glaucoma—the older they get, the bigger the risk. Due to Glaucoma, vision progressively weakens as damage is caused to the retina and nerves in the eye. Treatments for this eye health condition range from prescription medicine to surgery.
Non-proliferative and Proliferative Retinopathy
Directly caused by diabetes, non-proliferative retinopathy causes a build-up of blood in the capillaries of the eye clogging up blood vessels. In proliferative retinopathy, the blood vessels, being severely blocked off, eventually close up completely. However, new vessels grow in place of the fallen vessels, but are not as reliable. There are a plethora of options in regards to treatment of retinopathy such as photocoagulation and vitrectomy, which could prevent any further eye complications.
For more information about diabetes and eye health or to schedule an appointment with us, contact either of our locations or visit our website. Our staff at Valley Eyecare Center will be happy to answer all your questions and help you get the right treatment.
