All Eyes in Check…. November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and we’d like to focus on an important aspect of this – eye health.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the indulgence of gourmet meals and sugary foods, we need to remember that increased levels of sugar can be detrimental to diabetics. And while diabetes can lead to many other health issues, one of the most common is vision loss, which with a proactive approach, can be prevented.

One of the greatest gifts in life is the gift of sight. It’s one we should never take for granted. If you’re a diabetic, it’s imperative to be diligent in taking care of your eyes. But routine eye exams aren’t enough if you have diabetes. It’s essential to schedule an annual, comprehensive dilated eye exam in order to maintain good eye health. When scheduling your exam, be sure your eye doctor is aware of your health history.

Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of age. Having high blood sugar can lead to such problems as blurred vision, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Often, the issue of blurry vision can be corrected by getting your blood sugar level back in check. All symptoms should be shared with your ophthalmologist to rule out more severe issues.

Diabetic eye disease has no warning signs, and it can lead to severe vision loss and permanent blindness. Therefore, it’s important to take preventative measures. With early detection, timely and proper treatment, and regimented follow-up care, vision loss can be prevented. So, take the time to take care of your eyes, see your ECP and if you are a diabetic, be sure to have them thoroughly examined every year. Because eyesight is a gift that we should all be thankful for.