Awareness, Help, and Low Vision Aides
Eye health has always been a priority for our patients in Fort Collins, Wellington, and the surrounding Colorado areas. Still, when our patients experience eye health symptoms related to diabetes, their lives can get a lot worse, especially if they don't know what they're dealing with. Our Wellington Eye Care doctor has extensive experience in services performed by an optometrist. Our education and expertise prove that we're the eye health experts to visit when you're experiencing eye health problems related to diabetes. Here is what you should know about diabetic eye disease.
What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetes causes high blood sugar that can arise from low insulin or eating foods with too many carbs and sugars. One way diabetes affects the eyes is through a condition called macular edema, which destroys the retina while clogging blood vessels, some of which can even leak in the eye. Fluid accumulates in the lens of the eye that controls focus.
People with diabetes often experience increased thirst, an excessive need to urinate, and blurred vision. Untreated diabetes and diabetic eye health disorders can lead to blindness. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness and can also lead to other conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts. Diabetes is also a condition that any optometrist or eye doctor would want to help a patient recover from. There are a few ways we do that.
Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness
Getting involved with research and outreach is essential to any eye clinic. Organizations and eye clinics like Wellington Eye Care work together with the government, non-profits, volunteers, and passionate supporters throughout the year. If you're recovering from diabetic eye disease, we want you to know that National Diabetes Month is in November. This month is an excellent time to get involved with community events, charity organizations, and fundraisers, as well as to find opportunities to save money on prescriptions and other services while educating yourself about eye disease.
Know When to Call a Doctor
Diabetes isn't a condition that you should go without monitoring. Most patients will need to do regular blood sugar checks and might notice problems with their insulin if their hands are clammy, or they're starting to feel a little drowsy. Having a doctor close by is a good idea if you start to feel these symptoms or others, such as an abrupt loss of responsiveness, or even if you're simply not feeling well and you want someone to check it out.
Using Low Vision Aids at Home
When you're ready to contact an eye doctor, any optometrist or eye care professional at Wellington Eye Care would be willing to help. If your vision has already been affected by diabetes, you can use electric video magnifiers and hand-held magnifiers, as well as stronger reading glasses and small telescopes. These low vision devices can make reading a less laborious task while supporting daily living functions.
Skilled Optometry for Diabetic Eye Care
If you've been affected by diabetic eye disease, schedule an appointment with Wellington Eye Care for better eye health today in Fort Collins or Wellington, CO. Call (970) 568-7161 to schedule an appointment.