Vision & Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition that can affect many different parts of the human body, including the eyes. In fact, eye doctors in Miami see patients who are diabetic on a frequent basis, even outside of their annual appointment. There are many ways diabetes can affect someone’s quality of sight, but the most common health issue related to this condition is known as diabetic retinopathy. This is where a diabetic patient’s retinas are not getting the proper amount of blood and end up sustaining damage. The retina is the portion of the eye that transmits electrical signals to the brain, so it’s crucial to keep it intact. A Miami eye doctor will be able to spot this condition in their patients and prevent it from causing more damage than it already has.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Those who are diabetic and believe they may have a vision issue related to their existing health condition need to be seen by an eye doctor in Miami as soon as possible; the only way to truly know if diabetes is causing a vision issue is to be examined by a medical professional.

● Blurry or double vision is a common symptom of those who are developing diabetic retinopathy.

● Flashing lights or seeing blind spots is a symptom of a retinal detachment, which can be caused by diabetic retinopathy.

● Vision that changes throughout the day; people who are diabetic have fluctuating blood glucose levels, which can directly affect their ability to see properly.

● An issue with depth perception.

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

There is no cure for this condition, but there are ways to prevent it from causing more damage than it already has. The best way to stop this condition from causing vision damage is to be examined by a Miami optometrist on a regular basis. If a patient’s vision has already been affected by diabetic retinopathy, then they may need to have a laser treatment that can stop the damage from getting worse. There are also injections that people can get which will keep the blood vessels in their eye from causing any future damage. Overall, the best thing a diabetic patient can do is to be examined by their eye doctor as often as they recommend. 

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