Diabetes and Eye Health, with Dr. Julia Dellaria
Diabetes Support Group Meeting Highlights
April 17, 2012
On Tuesday, April 17th, Dr Julia Dellaria-Terrill from Davis, Dean and Duehr came to speak on diabetes and the effects that the disease could have on your eyes.
Of course the best way to reduce your risk of eye problems is to maintain a normal, stable blood sugar.
Another way to protect your eyes is to have that annual dilated eye exam because the earlier eye problems are diagnosed, the sooner they can be treated.
People with diabetes have a 50% chance of getting dry eyes. The more common symptoms are burning, tearing, itching, blurred vision,
or even the feeling that something is in your eye. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the dryness.
Cataracts are another eye condition that is very common among the general population, but people with diabetes tend to develop them at a younger age.
Symptoms may include blurred vision, glaring with night vision and needing more light to read.
Often the condition is followed for many years before surgery is required but cataract surgery is one of the safest procedures.
Glaucoma is increased pressure in the eye with potential to cause damage to the optic nerve.
People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop glaucoma.
Unfortunately there are no symptoms in the early stages. There is no cure, but there is treatment to reduce the chances of vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy is another condition that in its earliest stages, present no symptoms.
It is the tiniest blood vessels in the back of the eye that are susceptible to damage. Treatment again depends on the severity of the condition.
So again, to help protect your eyes, see an eye doctor for a dilated pupil exam yearly and keep your sugars in good control.
Our next diabetes support group meeting will be on Tuesday, May 15 when we will be hosting tours through local grocery stores with advice on what to look for
and look out for. We will be visting Sentry at 12:30pm and Piggly Wiggly at 5:00pm
For more information, please call Rita at 644-2458.
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