Here is a staggering statistic: approximately 540 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes. That’s a little more than 1 in 10 people dealing with this challenging disease. And the number continues to rise.
Recent years have brought a global increase in education surrounding diabetes prevention and treatment. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and the 2024 theme is “Empowering Global Health.” At Collins Vision, we want to focus on the ways diabetes can affect your vision and what we can do to help.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes damages blood vessels all over the body and that includes the eyes. Just as important as managing your blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should also have their eyes checked regularly for signs of diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy typically develops with no warning signs. Damage to the eye can occur slowly and may go unnoticed until there is significant damage.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. today. Diabetes causes weakening of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. Left untreated, these weakened blood vessels can leak, leading to irreversible vision loss. Symptoms can include blurry vision, double vision, dark spots, floaters or flashes of light, eye pain and redness.
Another diabetes-related eye condition is macular edema, which occurs when the macula (the center of the retina) swells due to weakened blood vessels that start to leak. This complication can lead to blurred or distorted vision. Having diabetes also increases your risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to work closely with your trusted Collins Vision eye doctors to stay ahead of any potential complications that could affect your vision. Our own Dr. Jason Friedrichs has a special interest and more than a decade of experience in this area.
Dr. Friedrichs is a board-certified ophthalmologist with residency training from the University of Iowa, which consistently ranks among the best ophthalmology training centers in the country by Ophthalmology Times and U.S. News & World Report. He has more than 10 years of experience in treating medical retina issues and has participated in numerous studies related to the latest in injection therapy and laser treatments.
How is Diabetic Eye Disease Treated?
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is highly individualized and your treatment plan will be based on your age, medical history and degree of damage to your retina, among other factors. In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy may not require treatment beyond regular monitoring by your Collins Vision doctor.
But if your condition is advanced enough that it requires medical intervention, we have two procedures that can help stop the damage to your eyes and preserve your sight.
- Intravitreal injections. In this in-office procedure, medication is administered into the back of the eye to help reduce fluid leakage associated with diabetic retinopathy.
- Photocoagulation. This procedure involves a laser that is used to finely cauterize and seal or shrink the weakened blood vessels.
If treatment is required, one of our trained physicians will explain all your options, including risks, benefits and alternatives before recommending the most appropriate treatment course for you.
See the Difference With the Vision You Deserve
Collins Vision is proud to be Southwest Florida’s leading full-service eye care practice since 2004. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and create a unique experience where every patient is greeted with enthusiasm, taken care of in a timely manner, and receives personalized, compassionate care. With three convenient locations in Fort Myers, Naples and Punta Gorda, and a clinical team that is experienced and passionate, we’d love to be your eye care provider of choice.
From modern cataract surgery, laser vision correction (LASIK) and cosmetic procedures like brow and forehead lifts, and functional and aesthetic eyelid surgery to comprehensive eye care and the diagnosis and treatment of many eye conditions, we can take care of your eyes in every season of life. With an unwavering commitment to safety, innovation and visual freedom, we look forward to helping every patient we serve See the Difference. Schedule an appointment today.
