Eye Health in Diabetes

Maintaining Eye Health with Diabetes – Healthpointe Corona

Diabetes has its share of challenges among them the risk of blindness in one or both eyes.  Said risk is probably one of the most dreaded complications of the medical condition mainly because affected individuals closely equate their quality of life with the ability to see.

Affected Parts

Aside from adopting the methods of staying healthy despite diabetes, you must also educate yourself on the matter.  Knowledge being power, you will feel more in control of your health condition instead of diabetes controlling your life by feeding on your fears.

The first step then is acquiring information about the links between the eyes and diabetes.  High blood pressure and high blood glucose adversely affects four parts of the eye, namely:

• The retina is the lining locate at the back of the eye.  Its main job is sensing the light coming into the eye.
• The lens focuses light coming into the eye on the retina.
• The vitreous is a jelly-like fluid filling the back of the eye.
• The optic nerve is the eye’s main nerve (i.e., connection) to the brain.

It’s your eyes so you must know about them, too.

Health Complications

The retina is perhaps the most affected part of the eye. Its damage may happen slowly but it can be serious mainly because its tiny blood vessels are easy to damage.  Said damage starts when the blood vessels swell, weaken and then become clogged, thus, resulting in insufficient blood flow, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy.

In the most common eye-related diabetes complication, the retina of one eye may sustain greater damage than the other eye or both eyes may have similar damage.  You must always have a dilated eye exam once a year for proper medical intervention (i.e., prevent the damage from spreading) even when your eyesight seems fine at the moment.

Don’t wait for any of these symptoms of diabetic retinopathy before seeking medical attention:

• blurry or double vision
• rings or flashing lights or blank spots
• dark or floating spots
• pain or pressure in one or both of eyes
• loss of peripheral vision (i.e., difficulty seeing things out of the corners of your eyes)

Diabetic retinopathy is not the only complications of diabetes.  You may also get the following eye problems:  (Note: Even non-diabetics can get these problems but diabetics have higher risks of getting these conditions at a younger age)

• Cataracts are clouds over your eye’s lens; the lens are usually clear. Your vision appears cloudy but when surgery is performed on your affected eye, your sight becomes clear once again.
• Glaucoma refers to the build-up of pressure in your eye that eventually damages its optic nerve.  You will be prescribed special eye drops to lower the lower pressure in your eyes.

Indeed, these eye conditions should be cared for by a qualified doctor but there are also steps that you can do to protect your eyes.  Keep your blood pressure and blood glucose as normal as possible by adopting a balanced diet, moderate exercises, and sensible lifestyle habits.  Schedule eye exams at least once a year so that retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma can be stopped in its tracks.

For more information about Healthpointe services call 888-719-8448 or visit one of our locations, like the Temecula Office near Murrieta, Fallbrook, Wildomar, Canyon Lake, and Sun City.

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles county, Orange county, San Bernardino county and Riverside county). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Corona, which is conveniently located near Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit https://healthpointe.net.