An estimated 1 in 10 Americans are living with diabetes, and 1 out of 5 of these people don't even know they have diabetes. Unfortunately, this can have dire consequences for someone's overall health, including their eye health. People with uncontrolled diabetes can develop a condition known as diabetic retinopathy, which is difficult to recover from and treat once the condition is progressed.
However, diabetic retinopathy can be treated with the help of an optometrist. Although symptoms cannot be reversed, an optometrist can help monitor the health of your eyes and prevent diabetic retinopathy from progressing further. At Family Vision Clinic, we're here to help residents of Farmington, MN, get the help they need to treat their diabetic retinopathy and prevent this issue from negatively impacting their lives.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
This is a condition caused by an excess build-up of glucose in the eyes. As diabetes remains uncontrolled, more and more glucose seeps into the eye, causing death to the retina of the eye. To help get around these glucose buildups, the eye begins to form blood vessels that are useless and soon rupture. Diabetic retinopathy, if not treated, will eventually progress into partial or total vision loss, showing just how devastating the consequences of this disease are.
How Can an Optometrist Treat this Condition?
An optometrist will conduct regular eye exams to alert you to any changes in your vision. Because diabetic retinopathy is a result of uncontrolled blood sugar, your eye doctor will inform you of lifestyle changes you can make to reduce blood glucose levels. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising, taking insulin, and visiting your doctor to keep your symptoms under control. An optometrist can also help rule out any other disease that can mimic the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, which include vision loss in one spot of the eye or tunnel vision. In extreme cases, eye surgery and medications can also help treat diabetic retinopathy.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist in Farmington, MN
At Family Vision Clinic, we're here to provide the best eye care services for residents of Farmington, MN, that need help to improve their eyesight and fight against diabetic retinopathy. Call us today to schedule an appointment at our clinic and see how we can help protect your vision.