Eye care recommendations for patients with diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of Americans, and can leave patients at risk for a variety of medical problems. Dr. Stuart P. Sondheimer also works with diabetics to help them understand the importance of maintaining their blood sugar levels for not only their overall health, but for their vision. Diabetic eye diseases are a specific group of problems that can develop in the eyes as a complication of diabetes. Some of these conditions can lead to not only severe vision loss, but complete blindness. Patients who have diabetes are urged to see their eye doctor on a regular basis to be evaluated and to monitor for common diabetic eye conditions. 

What are some of the more common conditions that can develop in diabetic patients? 

Below are the three more common conditions seen in diabetic patients: 

• Diabetic retinopathy – patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults in America. It is the damage of  the retinal blood vessels that cause swelling and irreversible blindness. Because it does not cause changes in vision, it can often go undetected for long periods of time.
• Cataracts – cataracts are a condition that happens more frequently in patients with diabetes. It causes the clouding of the lens of the eye. It can be corrected with surgery when it becomes severe enough to impact one’s quality of life.
• Glaucoma – glaucoma is an irreversible condition that is caused by optic nerve damage, and results in vision loss due to elevated eye pressure.

How can I protect my vision? 

Patients with diabetes are encouraged to see an ophthalmologist on a regular basis to monitor for the early signs of these conditions and to be proactive about protecting their vision and eye health. Patients should also manage their diabetes as directed by their doctor to reduce the risk of these types of complications. 

Are you a diabetic that is overdue for an eye examination? 

Dr. Stuart P. Sondheimer encourages patients to see an eye doctor on a regular basis to monitor their eye health and wellness, especially if they struggle with maintaining their diabetes. Call (847) 677-2794 to request an appointment at our Skokie, IL area practice, conveniently located at 9150 Crawford Avenue, Suite #201.