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Diabetes is not a diagnosis that anyone wishes to receive, but the unfortunate fact is that it affects millions of people throughout this country and beyond. Even scarier is the fact that the disease can lead to other chronic conditions as well. It is the leading cause of blindness in individuals over the age of twenty.

Initially, the onset of diabetes can result in large rushes of glucose pushing through the veins and capillaries. This can reach the eye and result in swelling of the lens of the eye. This, of course, can distort vision immediately. Fortunately, at this stage, the vision problem can be corrected by getting sugar levels back in balance. The target range for blood-sugar levels is between ninety and one hundred-thirty milligrams per deciliter. Unfortunately, large spikes of glucose can take quite a long time to regulate. For many diabetes patients, it may be up to three months before those levels are gotten under control again. During that time, the eye is very likely suffering from the strain of engorged capillaries and subsequent swelling.

There are three major eye conditions that can result when diabetes continues to result in undue pressure on the eye. Cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy are all very commonly seen in diabetes patients. Having frequent visits with a South Austin ophthalmologist is the only way to ensure early detection and treatment.

Cataracts

Even the best diabetic eye care in Austin, TX cannot prevent the onset of cataracts. This fogging of the lens of the eye makes it difficult for light to pass through to the light sensors located at the back of the eye. Diabetes patients are far more susceptible to this disorder and are more likely to experience it at an early age. Surgery can be performed by cataract surgeons to remove the affected lens and replace it with a clear artificial one. This can help to restore vision.

Glaucoma

The link between diabetes and glaucoma is strong and obvious. This condition results from built-up IOP (intraocular pressure). Eventually, the swelling causes damage to nerves in the eye; particularly the fibers of the optic nerve. The difficulty of this disease is that it involves a very silent onset. In many cases a person will remain completely unaware that it is happening until the damage is severe and irreversible. This is another reason why one should seek out the best glaucoma specialist immediately after being diagnosed with diabetes. This condition can be treated with special eye drops, laser procedures, medicine, or surgery in order to prevent further damage.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Around the inner wall of the eyeball, there is a thin layer of light sensitive tissue called the retina. It contains the cells that interpret the light taken in and transmit that as signals to the brain via the optic nerve. If the retina is damaged, vision is severely disturbed.

Retinopathy is a condition, which results from damage to small blood vessels and can cause irreversible blindness. Depending on which area of the retina is affected by the injured vessels, vision change can be very minimal or very drastic. When the vessels nearest the macula (a center point of the retina, densely populated with daytime vision receptors) is affected, vision changes can be severe.

Broberg Eye Care
4207 James Casey St # 305
Austin, TX 78745-1193
(512) 447-6096