Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects approximately 3.3 million people in Canada. The condition prevents the body from making or using insulin, which leads to unregulated blood sugar levels.
If your blood sugar levels are too high over a prolonged time, it can cause serious health problems. Hyperglycemia can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve problems, and vision problems.
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Diabetes can affect many different parts of the eyes and, in some cases, is first detected during an eye exam. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to vision changes, cataracts, glaucoma, and various other conditions that can steal your vision. Some of the first visual signs of diabetes include fluctuating vision, double vision, vision loss, and flashes or floaters.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common eye diseases that occur due to unregulated diabetes. High blood sugar levels start to damage the retina’s blood vessels, which can begin to swell and leak.
There are 2 main types of diabetic retinopathy:
Both types can affect your vision, so you should visit us as soon as possible if you begin to experience symptoms.
Diabetic macular edema is typically a complication of diabetic retinopathy. When the blood vessels leak fluid into the eye, it can cause swelling in the central part of the retina, called the macula.
The retina is responsible for converting light that enters the eye into a detailed message. When it is swollen, it distorts the message, making it difficult to see clearly. If left untreated, macular edema can lead to irreversible damage and vision loss.
If you have diabetes, your optometrist may recommend you come in more frequently for exams. Regular, comprehensive eye exams can pinpoint early signs of eye disease that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Common symptoms of diabetic eye disease include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important you visit us right away to have your eyes examined.
Book AppointmentFind us just off Southport Road SW on the west side of Macleod Trail.
There is ample free parking directly outside the professional building.
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