Your eyes are very important. Many people don't realise just how valuable their vision is until it starts to fail. I was one of these people. I didn't give a second thought to my eyes or keeping them healthy. However, one day, I noticed that I couldn't see as clearly as I used to. I struggle to read the small print on paperwork and sometimes I would find that my vision would become unfocused. I visited the optometrist, and he assessed my eyes. I've now been prescribed contact lenses which really help me. I hope the articles I have posted here help you.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia, with close to two million people suffering from various types of the disease. While many people know about the risks diabetes brings to your overall health, not many know that diabetes can also be very dangerous for your eyesight. That is why those who have diabetes are required to take a much more proactive eye care stance than those of almost any other group. If you have diabetes, then here are a few reasons why you should visit an optometrist more often for an in-depth eye care inspection.
1. Blood Vessels
Diabetes can affect blood vessels all over the body, but most often people associate it with the extremities, particularly the feet. The truth is the blood vessels to the eye often also get affected by diabetes, and when this happens it is far more serious. That is because the eye does not have many blood vessels connecting to it, which makes the few that do very important to your vision. If your eye care is inadequate and your diabetes gets out of control, then these blood vessels can get irreparably damaged in a worst-case scenario.
2. Preventative Care
One of the most important steps in keeping your eyesight as good as possible while suffering from diabetes is constantly getting a check-up with your optometrist. They will be able to tell you whether you are developing diabetic retinopathy (one of the conditions caused by diabetes), if any of the blood vessels to your eyes are leaking or if everything is going as planned. These appointments must be more regular than most people get because preventative care is much easier and far safer for you.
3. Treatment Plans
If you do start to get issues with diabetic retinopathy, or any other diabetes-related problem, then your optometrist still has a few options. If the blood vessels connecting to your eye have leaked then they can drain the fluid from in front of your eye to help you see. If you start developing cataracts (those with diabetes develop cataracts at a higher rate than others), then these can also be removed surgically. If your optometrist notices your blood vessels are becoming more solid and you are losing blood flow then they will immediately start changing your diabetic medication so that you get it back under control before you lose any more vision.
All of these treatment plans are very important for the eye care of those with diabetes, so make sure you are regularly visiting your optometrist.
Share15 March 2021
