Are you aware that diabetes is the primary causal agent of blindness for men and women of all ages? If not, you are not alone. As of 2008, over 4 million people in North America afflicted with diabetes were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. Of this number, 70,000 were afflicted with acute diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to total blindness.
So, how crucial is it to get tested for blindness cause by diabetes?
An existing diagnosis of diabetes is the first risk factor. Anyone in this category should ensure that they have an eye exam yearly. The longer the affliction remains unmonitored, the stronger the danger of diabetes caused vision loss. Speedy treatment is necessary to halting further deterioration.
Women who are expecting that have been diagnosed with diabetes have a stronger possibility of developing diabetic retinopathy. It is important to schedule a complete dilated eye exam after diagnosis as well.
You may wonder why all the worry? Wouldn’t there be tell tale symptoms if you were going blind?
The answer surprisingly is, not always. There are different types of diabetic retinopathy, and only those in the acute stages are easily discernible. Proliferative diabetes and macular edema are diabetes related diseases which result in extreme vision deterioration. Both conditions may manifest with no obvious symptoms. This is a reason that early discovery is critical to saving yourself from irreversible deterioration.
A thorough examination will look for signs of diabetic retinopathy. There are several stages to this exam which will expose the standard clues, including damaged nerve tissue, swelling of the retina, the presence of fatty deposits on the retina, and leaky blood vessels. What is entailed in a comprehensive eye exam?
First of all you will undergo a visual acuity test by means of an eye chart that is used to measure how accurately you are able to see at various distances. This is just like the visual acuity tests given by your eye doctor, if you require glasses.
To give a dilated eye exam, the eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to amplify the size of your pupils. Though not a particularly beloved test by most people, it can prevent deterioration in your vision in subsequent years. This method makes it feasible to examine more of the inside of your eyes to check for unique symptoms that indicate the presence of diabetic retinopathy. The fleeting discomfort could save your vision.
It is important to value your eye sight. Even a little hesitation might cause irreversible damage. If you are living with diabetes, it is necessary to schedule a vision examination with your optometrist without further delay.
