Diabetic Eye Disease
This is one of the leading causes of blindness in American adults. Diabetes affects small blood vessels throughout the body and the eye is no exception. The National Institute of Health estimates that 40 to 45 percent of Americans with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. One advantage we have in eye care is the ability to view the blood vessels in your retina (the lining of the back of the eye). Here we can see vessels that aren’t covered by skin or muscle, allowing us to see if diabetes is damaging vessels in the retina and therefore throughout the body. It’s recommended that diabetic patients be seen at least once per year for a comprehensive eye examination. Those on insulin should come at least every six months. As with most medical conditions, early detection is the key.