At the Eye Doctors of Arizona, We Offer Diabetic Eye Disease Diagnosis & Treatment

According to the CDC, at least 29 million people in America (about 9% of the population) have diabetes, and of these people, about 8 million of them are undiagnosed. This means that you or someone you know could have this chronic health condition and not even know it yet. At the Eye Doctors of America, our ophthalmology team wants everyone to know more about this condition and how it can potentially impact your vision and eye health. 

Diabetic Eye Disease FAQs

How does diabetes affect my eyesight?

Diabetes is a chronic health disorder that impairs your body's ability to use and/or create the hormone insulin, which is important for blood sugar regulation. It can cause widespread inflammation and tissue damage. It's also been linked with many other health problems including obesity, heart disease, and in the context of our discussion, diabetic eye disease. 

One of the main ways diabetes can affect your eyes is by causing small blood vessels near your retina (the thin light-processing tissue on the inside of the back of your eye) to become inflamed and leaky. When this happens, the retinal tissue can become damaged due to a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Over time, diabetic retinopathy can lead to progressive blindness and vision loss. 

In addition to causing diabetic retinopathy (discussed below), having diabetes can also increase your risk for developing other eye health problems including cataracts and glaucoma. 

How can I tell if I have diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy and other forms of diabetic eye disease often do not present with symptoms at first. Retinal tissue damage can occur long before you start to notice any signs or symptoms. Since vision loss caused by diabetic eye disease is often irreversible, early detection and treatment is critical for preventing blindness. This is why it's so critical to visit your eye doctor on a regular basis so that he or she can assess your eyes and ensure that they are healthy. 

How can a Phoenix ophthalmologist help treat diabetic eye disease?

Our Phoenix ophthalmologist staff offers a variety of treatments options for people with diabetic eye disease. Depending on your needs, this may include:

• Medications to reduce inflammation, prevent further tissue damage, and prevent abnormal blood vessel growth
• Laser surgery to remove damaged tissue and control leaky blood vessels
• Corrective eyewear prescription, including glasses, to correct vision loss 

As always, it's critical to ensure that you're managing your diabetes well, too. Be sure to speak with your primary care doctor about ways you can adopt a healthier lifestyle and control your blood sugar more effectively. 

Is it Time to Schedule A Diabetic Eye Exam? Call Your Ophthalmologist in Phoenix for Help Today

We're care about your eye health, and we know you do too! Do you have diabetes? Schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist in Phoenix, AZ by calling the Eye Doctors of Arizona today at 602-257-8280. For our downtown Phoenix, AZ location, dial extension 1. For our north Phoenix location, dial extension 2.