Safeguarding Diabetic Eyes
If you’re living with diabetes, you’ve likely experienced the healthcare changes associated with the condition. Because diabetes affects the whole body, your eyes require extra care and support. To provide this care, we recommend patients with diabetes visit for a diabetic eye exam at least once a year.
During a diabetic eye exam, we’ll perform regular vision tests to correct any refractive errors as well as check for eye diseases. These diseases can float under the radar if they are not identified in an eye exam.
Manage your diabetes with regular diabetic eye exams at Total Focus Optometry in Edmonton.
How Can Diabetes Affect My Vision?
One of the most significant effects diabetes has is on the blood sugar levels and blood vessels in the body. The blood vessels within the eye are extremely small and delicate. As diabetes makes it difficult for the body to control its blood sugar levels, these blood vessels are at risk of leaking.
The chance of these blood vessels leaking can be increased by the following:
- Having diabetes for a long time
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Poor control of blood sugar levels
- Pregnancy
- Tobacco use
Diabetic Eye Diseases
Diabetes poses new threats to the eye with diabetic eye diseases and increases the overall chances of developing common eye diseases. To protect patients with diabetes, we’ll check for these eye diseases during their regular diabetic eye exams.
Diabetic Retinopathy & Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by the effects of diabetes on the blood vessels in the eye, specifically the retina. These blood vessels are small and delicate. If these blood vessels begin to leak, they can limit a patient’s vision.
Diabetic macular edema develops as a result of diabetic retinopathy not being treated. However, instead of now damaging the retina, the macula is at risk. The macula is responsible for central vision, helping with tasks like reading.
Cataracts
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens. This process normally occurs as the eyes age, however, they can be caused by other factors, such as diabetes. In fact, patients with diabetes are 5 times more likely to develop cataracts.
Cataracts can be managed with a stronger prescription. However, to be fully treated, they require cataract surgery.
Glaucoma
Patients with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop glaucoma. As the disease rarely shows early signs and symptoms, it’s crucial for patients with diabetes to visit for regular eye exams.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that targets the eye’s optic nerve. If not identified and managed early, patients may experience vision loss and eventually complete blindness.
Take Action Against Diabetes
If you have diabetes, visiting for regular diabetic eye exams is one of the best ways to ensure you aren’t developing eye diseases without your knowledge. Book your next appointment today!
Our Location
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From our practice’s architecturally stunning office to our warm and welcoming staff, visiting Total Focus Optometry is always an enjoyable experience.
Our team can’t wait to meet new patients and see friendly returning faces!
Our Address
- 3352 Gateway Blvd. NW
- Edmonton, AB T6J 6V1
Contact Information
- Phone: 780-988-3937
- Fax: 780-988-5809
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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Total Focus Optometry
- 3352 Gateway Blvd. NW
- Edmonton, AB T6J 6V1
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P: 780-988-3937
F: 780-988-5809
[email protected]