A Diabetic ’ s Checklist for Eye Health
Courtesy Key-Whitman Eye Center
If you have diabetes or risk factors for the disease , your vision may be in jeopardy . So many diabetics don ’ t understand that diabetes increases the risk for a number of blinding diseases , including diabetic retinopathy , early cataracts and glaucoma .
According to Key-Whitman Eye Center ’ s Plano eye doctor Faisal Haq , “ The good news is that these eye conditions typically can be prevented and safely managed when diagnosed and monitored early on . Open communication between the patient and eye doctor , along with the patient ’ s primary care doctor or endocrinologist , is the key to protecting eye health .”
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with diabetes , it is imperative to take proactive steps to ensure you have good eye health and prevent permanent vision loss . Here is a checklist that ’ s a place to start !
No . 1 : Be proactive in seeing your eye doctor . You can be at a higher risk for diabetes if you have a family history of diabetes or other risk factors such as : being overweight , not being physically active three or more times a week and you are of African-American , Hispanic , American Indian or Alaska Native descent .
Even if you have not been diagnoses with diabetes yet , but are at risk , plan to see an eye doctor at the following times :
• Annually for a dilated eye exam .
• Right away if experiencing frequent vision and / or prescription changes , blurry vision or signs of early cataracts ( glare symptoms , such as difficulty driving at night or in the sunlight ).
According to Dr . Haq , “ Fluctuating vision – where the vision changes day to day or even hour to hour – is the most common eye-related symptom for diabetes . This occurs because high blood sugar levels can cause the natural lens in the eye to swell . This can also lead to frequent changes in eyeglasses prescriptions , because the swelling often causes a power shift – or prescription change – where vision can go back and forth .”
People who have seen their eye doctor multiple times for new glasses should have their blood sugar levels checked . Dr . Haq typically won ’ t prescribe new glasses for diabetics until their blood sugar levels have stabilized .
Individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes should plan to see an eye doctor at the following times :
• Annually , unless your eye doctor advises otherwise .
• As directed by your primary care doctor or endocrinologist .
• Right away if you notice any vision changes such as blurred vision , double vision , fluctuating vision / prescriptions or glare symptoms ( trouble driving at night or in the sunlight ).
No . 2 : Know when to see your primary care physician or endocrinologist . According to the American Diabetes Association , “ Some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed ,” however , common symptoms of diabetes that should raise red flags and prompt a doctor visit include :
• Urinating often .
• Feeling very thirsty .
• Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating .
• Extreme fatigue .
• Blurry vision .
• Cuts / bruises that are slow to heal .
• Weight loss – even though you are eating more ( type 1 ).
• Tingling , pain or numbness in the hands / feet ( type 2 ).
Your eye doctor may also advise you to schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor or endocrinologist . Why ? Eye doctors often uncover symptoms of diabetes during an eye exam even before the patient has been diagnosed with diabetes by a primary care physician .
As Dr . Haq explains , “ During a comprehensive eye exam , we look for fluctuations in prescriptions , cataracts , that often occur earlier in diabetic patients and diabetic retinopathy , which is the most common sign of diabetes . Retinopathy starts with little hemorrhages and white spots on the retina that indicate poor blood supply . Swelling in the macula and bleeding and scarring in other parts of the retina can also show up during a dilated eye exam or in special pictures we take of the eye .”
No . 3 : Talk to your primary care doctor or endocrinologist about steps you can take to prevent and / or manage diabetes and vision loss . When Dr . Haq finds symptoms of diabetic eye disease in a patient , he encourages the patient to see a primary care physician or endocrinologist right away to work on getting hemoglobin A1C levels down . “ The better patients control their diabetes , the less likely they are to have problems or experience vision loss , which can occur due to early cataracts , diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma ,” Dr . Haq says .
50 TEXOMA AREA Living Well Magazine | MAY / JUNE 2018