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If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, there are many steps you must take to ensure you stay healthy. You must eat low glycemic foods, monitor your blood sugar, exercise, take your prescribed medications, and check in regularly with your doctor.
A yearly retinal exam is an important part of managing your diabetes. The eye is the only place in the body where you can see blood vessels in their natural state. Observing these blood vessels gives insight into how your body is handling blood sugar levels. If your A1C level is elevated due to high blood sugar or if you have been a diabetic for a long time, you are at a higher risk for diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood sugar is too high, causing cells in the blood vessel walls to become loose and leak out tiny amounts of blood. This damage can be observed during a dilated retinal exam and by retinal imaging. If bleeding in the eye is left uncontrolled, it can lead to sight threatening damage. When uncontrolled bleeding is occurring in the eye, it is likely that it is occurring in the other parts of the body.
If we observe diabetic retinopathy, your physician needs to know. Springfield Family Vision will talk directly with your primary care physician or endocrinologist about our findings. Our approach will help to ensure that you receive the best possible health care for your eyes and beyond.
We care about the health of your eyes and we will make our portion of the yearly diabetic exam process as easy and comfortable as possible.
