4 Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease

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It’s long been known that diabetes has repercussions throughout the body. The eyes are one of the most common organs that are affected, often resulting in a condition known as diabetic eye disease. Diabetic eye disease must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Otherwise, serious ramifications can develop, including vision impairment or even blindness. Learn the symptoms of diabetic eye disease so you can discuss them with youroptometrist in Jacksonville, FL.

1. Blurred or Distorted Vision

Blurry or distorted vision can be a symptom of other eye disorders, but it’s also one way that diabetes changes the eye’s lens, inhibiting its ability to focus as intended.

2. Rapid Changes in Vision

An odd symptom of diabetic eye disease is fluctuating vision, where eyesight is fine but punctuated with blurry vision. This is due to changing fluid levels in the eyes, which happens when blood sugar levels rapidly rise and fall.

3. Floaters or Dark Spots

An increase in floaters, or the density of floaters, is a common symptom of diabetic eye disease. These may be accompanied by dark spots or “blind spots” in the field of vision. They’re caused by leaking blood vessels into the eye’s vitreous gel.

4. Difficulty Seeing in Low Light

Low vision, as it is called, is often a symptom of diabetic eye disease. The retina loses its ability to adjust to low light conditions, causing a person to take longer to adjust to changing luminosity or making it harder to see in low light.

If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, seektreatment for diabetic eye disease in Jacksonville, FL. The first step to treatment involves getting a diabetic eye evaluation. Contact us to book your appointment today.

Regular Eye Exams Are Crucial When You Have Diabetes

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People with diabetes have a greater risk of developing a serious eye disease due to a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream that can travel to the eyes. Some of these conditions include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular edema.

You already visit your doctor regularly to monitor your blood sugar. We also recommend scheduling a diabetic eye exam in Jacksonville, FL at least once a year to stay ahead of potential problems. Uncontrolled blood sugar can eventually lead to blindness or low vision without intervention.

What Can You Do to Delay or Prevent Eye Diseases When You Have Diabetes?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends taking these steps to reduce the risk of damaging your vision or losing it altogether:

  • Monitor your blood sugar daily and keep it within the range provided by your doctor the best you can.
  • Ask your doctor to provide your cholesterol and blood pressure readings at each appointment along with tips for how you can keep both within range.
  • If you smoke, quit now to improve your visual and overall health.
  • Aim for a moderate amount of exercise each day since physical activity can help lower blood sugar.

The CDC also recommends an annual eye exam. You can expect your diabetic eye exam in Jacksonville, FL to be much like a regular exam.

The biggest difference is that your optometrist at Stam & Associates Eye Care studies the blood flow to your eyes and pays closer attention to your retinas. The purpose of this is to ensure that blood is reaching your eyes normally and that your retinas are functioning as they should. You can also expect typical eye tests, including reading letters from a board, eye tracking and teaming, and how your pupils respond to light.

Please request an appointment from us if more than 12 months have passed since your last diabetic eye exam.