If not properly managed, diabetes can lead to numerous health complications, including an increased risk of diabetes-related eye disease. In fact, diabetes is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Another significant cause is macular degeneration due to aging.
Let’s explore the connection between these two conditions and discuss strategies for preventing vision loss.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition where your body is unable to control blood sugar levels properly. This can cause serious health problems, including damage to your eyes. Over time, this damage can affect vision and may even result in permanent blindness. There are many people with diabetes, and it’s important to manage this condition to stay healthy and prevent diabetic eye disease.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a common eye disease in people over 60. It affects the macula, a part of the eye that helps you see fine details, whether you are looking at something close or in the distance. When the macula gets damaged, you can lose your central vision, making it hard to do things, such as read or see people’s faces.
How Does Diabetes Affect Vision?
Diabetes increases your risk of developing diabetic eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and glaucoma. This is because when you have diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in your eyes.
Damage to the eye most commonly affects the retina, the delicate tissue lining the back of the eye. This is called diabetic retinopathy. The retina is the part of your eye that sends visual information to your brain. If it gets damaged, you can start to lose your vision. This is why managing your blood sugar levels is so important.
According to reports, approximately one in three people over the age of 40 with diabetes already exhibit signs of diabetic retinopathy. However, the prognosis greatly improves with consistent care. Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can reduce the risk of blindness by 95%.
The Link between Macular Degeneration and Diabetes
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing macular degeneration. The damage caused by high blood sugar levels can make the macula more vulnerable to degeneration. This means that if you have diabetes, you must be extra careful about your eye health.
Here are the following ways to maintain your eye health and manage your diabetes:
- Regulate your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
- Don’t smoke
- Have an annual dilated eye exam
Impact of Macular Degeneration on Vision
Macular degeneration mainly affects your central vision. You might find it hard to see things right in front of you, like text in a book or faces. There are two types of macular degeneration:
- Dry AMD: The most common type. It happens slowly and causes gradual vision loss.
- Wet AMD: This is less common but more severe. It can cause sudden and serious vision loss.
Preventive Measures
By managing your diabetes effectively, you can help to prevent or slow the progression of diabetic eye disease. Here are some steps to reduce the risk of vision loss from diabetes and macular degeneration:
- Manage Blood Sugar Levels: Keep your diabetes under control by monitoring your blood sugar levels and following your doctor’s advice.
- Keep other chronic conditions under control: If you have other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, it’s important to manage these too.
- Healthy Diet: Eat foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants, like fruits, vegetables, and fish. These can help protect your eyes.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your blood sugar levels.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking raises your risk of macular degeneration. Quitting can help protect your eyes.
- Regular Eye Exams: Visit your eye doctor regularly for check-ups. Early detection can help manage and treat eye problems before they become serious.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection of diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. At Advanced Sight Center in Washington, Missouri, our board-certified ophthalmologists use the latest technology to detect these conditions early. Early detection means better treatment and a lower risk of vision loss.
Macular Degeneration Diabetes Near Me in Washington
Advanced Sight Center offers comprehensive eye care services to help you maintain healthy vision. We offer a range of advanced treatments for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal vascular disease, including laser treatments, eye injections, and eye surgery.
We offer a range of services to help you with your eye care needs, such as:
- Diagnose your eye condition
- Recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs
- Provide advanced diagnostic exams and treatments
- Offer preventive care and lifestyle advice to help you maintain healthy eyes
To learn more about diabetic eye care or to schedule a personalized consultation with our eye specialist, call us today at (636) 239-1650 or use our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
