Diabetic Eye Disease
There is a Diabetes epidemic in Hawaii. Over 128,000 people in Hawaii (11.2% of the adult population) have diagnosed diabetes. This is not counting the 442,000 (41.5% of the adult population that have Prediabetes. Diabetes can impact more than your blood sugar levels – it can also cause damage to your eyes. Diabetes causes the weakening of blood vessels all over the body. Often times during a routine eye exam, the doctors will see signs of diabetic blood vessel damage (small hemorrhages and other indicators) in the retina. The retina is the one place where we can actually visualize the blood vessels of the body. If you’re living with diabetes, it’s not just your general health that needs attention, your vision does too. Regular appointments with an optometrist are crucial to catch any potential problems early, ensuring your eyes stay as healthy as possible. It is our goal to encourage and help patients manage their diabetes by increasing awareness and understanding. Below are some of the ocular problems that can occur with diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This is a common eye problem for people with diabetes. The retina, rich with blood vessels is the part of your eye that receives light and sends pictures to your brain. Most people that have had longstanding diabetes will have retinal changes caused by the disease. The retina is our window to seeing vascular damage that is also occurring elsewhere in the body. A diabetic patient is also at higher risk for cataracts, glaucoma and macular disease.
Cataracts
People with diabetes are 60% more likely to get cataracts. Cataracts cloud your vision, making it feel like you’re looking through a foggy window. Over time, this can lead to blurry vision or difficulty seeing at night.
Glaucoma
If you’re diabetic you are twice as likely to get glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease where the eye pressure is too high for the eye itself, causing damage to the optic nerve which can result in a loss of vision.
Screening is Key
Eye checks are critical if you’re diabetic. Diseases like cataracts and glaucoma can be managed, but if left unchecked, they could lead to chronic ocular problems and in certain cases, loss of permanent vision.
Location
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Contact
Fax: 888-504-0018
Hours
1:00-4:30pm