Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic and a lifelong disease marked by an increase in the levels of blood sugar. If not controlled, this disease can lead to a debilitating condition called diabetic eye disease.
A diabetic eye disease pertains to a group of several eye problems that can be a complication that a diabetic person may develop. Eye problems like diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma are all capable of causing loss of vision. Both diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma can be treated but cannot be cured unlike the cataract.
Among the three complications mentioned, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among diabetic adults. The retinopathy is caused by blood vessel changes of the retina and can potentially threaten vision and anyone with diabetes is always at risk. The longer the individual have diabetes, the greater the risk of developing retinopathy. And almost half of the total population with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy at some degree in their lifetime. During the early stages of the disease, no symptoms can be felt. Its early detection is very crucial so that prompt treatment can be made and started.
Persons that are diagnosed with diabetes should submit themselves for a yearly eye examination especially the retina because vision changes do not occur until the disease becomes severe. This can only be done with the help of an eye care provider, the eye doctor.
Regular eye examinations from an Austin eye doctor are very crucial to manage the symptoms of a diabetic eye disease such as retinopathy. With the help of an eye doctor, the risk for developing these complications can be greatly reduced.
The Austin eye doctor can also provide diabetic individuals with the right eye health education stressing more on the importance of periodic eye examinations. Since there is no cure for retinopathy, there are ways to manage its symptoms.