Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among people under 75, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so it’s important to identify and treat eye health problems early. The good news is that you can take steps to help keep your eyes healthy.
1. Schedule an annual eye exam with your eye doctor. Your doctor will look for signs of health problems inside your eyes, either by dilating them with eye drops or taking a picture of your eyes with a retinal camera.
2. Know the common eye diseases among people with diabetes.
- Diabetic Retinopathy can cause blindness if not treated, so it’s important to have your eyes checked regularly.
- Cataracts are more common in people with diabetes.
- Glaucoma can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
3. Visit your eye doctor right away if you:
- See little black lines or spots that don’t go away.
- Experience any red spots or fog.
- Have a sudden change in how clearly you see.
Eye exams play a critical role in the prevention and early detection of many chronic diseases, including diabetes. Your eye doctor is an important member of your overall healthcare team.
Schedule your annual eye exam today.