Understanding Diabetic Eye Disease - By Robin Ross, MD, MPH, CPH
Dr. Robin Ross is an ophthalmologist practicing in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Ross specializes in eye and vision care. As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Ross can practice medicine as well as surgery. Opthalmologists can perform surgeries because they have their medical degrees along with at least eight years of additional training.... more
What is diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of disease that are mainly associated with people who have diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Some of these eye conditions are diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), glaucoma, and cataracts.
A common complication of diabetes
If not managed properly, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to any of the above mentioned diseases. All of these eye diseases have the potential to cause vision loss and blindness if left untreated. So, prevention and early detection is vital for the treatment of these eye conditions.
Diabetic retinopathy is among the most common
Diabetic retinopathy is among the most common causes of vision loss for patients with diabetes. It's also a leading cause of blindness among adults. Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. This causes them to leak fluid or bleed, which distorts vision.
In order to treat diabetic eye diseases properly, doctors must diagnose them early in order to prevent any vision loss.
The best way to prevent diabetic eye disease
The best way to prevent diabetic eye disease is controlling diabetes. Controlling diabetes, whether it be by eating a healthy diet, taking medications or staying physically active, can significantly help in preventing or delaying vision loss or blindness.
Who is most at risk?
It's important to note that people with any type of diabetes are at risk for diabetic eye disease. Also, this risk only increases the longer someone has diabetes.
