How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

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Diabetes has far-reaching effects in the body, including the eyes. When blood glucose levels regularly reach unhealthy levels, this excess sugar can cause significant vision problems. Here at Vision Source Family Eye Care, your eye doctors in Brunswick, Jesup, and St. Marys urge people with diabetes to work with their physicians to keep their blood sugar levels in check, while also scheduling regular diabetic eye exams to monitor for the following problems that can cause vision problems:

1. Glaucoma

When the fluid pressure in the eyes exceeds healthy levels, this excess pressure can damage the eye’s blood vessels and nerves, causing vision loss. High blood sugar prevents healthy fluid cycling and drainage in the eyes. This is called glaucoma, and people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing this excess pressure. Regular diabetic eye exams can ensure people with diabetes get prompt glaucoma treatment to prevent and slow vision loss.

2. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the biggest causes of blindness for American adults. Again, high blood glucose levels damage sensitive retinal blood vessels, making them grow abnormally or even leak. This blood vessel damage prevents the retina from processing images clearly. Here at Vision Source Family Eye Care, we provide diabetic retinopathy treatment in Brunswick, St. Marys, and Jesup, GA, that can stop or slow the progression of vision loss.

3. Cataracts

Folks with diabetes also run a higher risk of developing the cloudy cataracts that occlude vision. While it’s true that anyone might develop cataracts, higher blood sugar levels increase the risk that these cloudy areas will form. Diabetes can also make cataracts develop faster.

Diabetic Eye Care with the Eye Doctors Brunswick, Jesup, and St. Marys Neighbors Trust

If you have a diabetes diagnosis, follow your doctor’s care plan for lowering your blood sugar, and be sure to schedule diabetic eye exams with us here at Vision Source Family Eye Care. We can monitor your eye health and provide proactive diabetic eye care to help you preserve your vision.