It is interesting to note that an eye exam can help detect medical conditions, such as diabetes. This is important as identifying serious issues can provide patients a fair chance of managing diabetes efficiently. Regular and routine eye exams are helpful in evaluating the symptoms of complicated eye problems and other medical conditions. It is also important that your eye doctor is qualified enough to detect those symptoms and suggesting you to get a blood sugar test.
Many people find out about their diabetes through their eye exams. One such patient was also recommended to get a blood sugar screening to make sure she wasn’t suffering from the medical condition. This happened when the doctor observed blood along with other fluids to seep out of the fragile vessels in the retina, the sight and light sensing part of your eye without which you are unable to see.
The type of bleeding that was noticed in this particular patient indicates an upsurge of sugar in an individuals’ bloodstream, which disintegrates the capillaries that support the retina. This is referred to as diabetic retinopathy. This is a serious condition which causes harm to retinal tissue and sometimes leads to blindness or impaired vision if it is not diagnosed or treated.
Patients who exhibit the symptoms of this condition must have their blood sugar level checked immediately by their family doctor. If your optometrist notices the warning signs of diabetic retinopathy, a dilated eye exam for the diagnosis is crucial. The test is performed by assessing the retina and dilating the pupils with the help of eye drops. The doctor also conducts a detailed exam to study abnormal blood vessels, damage, swelling, scar tissue and retinal detachment.
For making this diagnosis, a retinal photography test is also important. Early identification and management of diabetes assist in stopping this bleeding and improving the overall eyesight. Approximately 90% of diabetes-related blindness can be avoided if people can start getting regular eye exams. Moreover, diabetes can worsen your eye health and damage your vision if is left untreated. This is why regular eye exams are important for knowing all possible risks that your eyes are facing.
Diabetes further weakens the eyes and increases the risks of several eye problems, including glaucoma. Some individuals fail to realize how bad their diabetic problem is until they get an eye exam. Since the early stages of diabetic retinopathy do not change or cause problems in the vision, there may be no symptoms at all. Only a detailed eye exam will help detect the problem to know if you are suffering from diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious health condition that adversely affects all parts of the body, particularly the eyes. Make sure you never miss your eye exam and schedule one as soon as you can if you haven’t gotten your eyes checked for two or more years. Good diabetes management will eventually help you maintain good vision and to avoid vision complications.
