Diabetic Eye Care in Palm Beach County FL

With early detection, proper treatment, and good control of your diabetes, the risk of going blind due to diabetic retinopathy can be significantly reduced.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults with type 1 diabetes have a comprehensive eye exam within five years of their diagnosis and then annually. For those with type 2 diabetes, a comprehensive eye exam should be performed shortly after the diagnosis and then annually.

While some treatments can reverse vision loss and improve sight, Diabetic Retinopathy itself is not reversible. Early detection and management are crucial in preserving vision.

Managing your diabetes is key to prevent Diabetic Retinopathy. This includes:

• Controlling your blood sugar level
• Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check
• Quitting smoking or using tobacco in any form
• Having regular eye exams as recommended by your eye doctor

Yes, while there is no cure for Diabetic Retinopathy, treatments are available that can slow the progression of the disease and even improve vision. These treatments include laser surgery, vitrectomy, and injections into the eye.

Diabetic Retinopathy is diagnosed during a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes:

• Visual acuity testing
• Tonometry
• Pupil dilation
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• Fluorescein angiography (in some cases)

In the early stages, the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy may be absent or may only cause mild vision problems. If left untreated or blood sugar is poorly controlled, it could lead to…

• Blurred vision
• Fluctuating vision
• Dark or empty areas in your vision
• Vision loss
• Difficulty perceiving colors

Diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the retina. Over time, these vessels can swell and leak fluid or even close off completely. In other cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.