Diabetic Eye Care Specialist
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Brandywine Vision Associates, P.C.
Danielle DeAngelis, OD
Optometrist located in Royersford, PA
Diabetes increases your risk of cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. These risks make diabetic eye care at Brandywine Vision Associates, P.C. in Royersford, Pennsylvania, especially important if you have any type of diabetes. Danielle DeAngelis, OD, screens for all major eye diseases during comprehensive eye exams, and she can recommend treatment plans to preserve your vision for the rest of your life. Book an appointment online or call the office now.
Diabetic Eye Care Q & A
What is diabetic eye care?
Diabetic eye care is eye care that focuses on your specific needs as a person with diabetes. This type of eye care emphasizes early detection and treatment of eye diseases, which can prevent vision loss.
Why do I need diabetic eye care?
All types of diabetes — Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes — occur when you have high blood sugar. When you have high blood sugar for a long period of time, it causes damage to the tiny blood vessels within your eyes and may also lead to other types of eye damage.
Diabetic eye diseases don't usually cause symptoms until you have severe eye damage, but diabetic eye exams give you an early diagnosis so you can begin preventive care immediately.
What are the different types of diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic eye diseases include:
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy, in which blood vessel damage harms the light-sensing retina at the back of your eye, is a very common diabetic eye disease. Most people with diabetes and even many pre-diabetics have some type of blood vessel damage in their eyes. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss if untreated.
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula — the part of the retina that helps you see fine details — swells because of high blood sugar. That can cause vision loss. Diabetic macular edema commonly occurs in people with diabetic retinopathy.
Cataracts
Clouded eye lenses (cataracts) aren't exclusive to people with diabetes, but if you have diabetes, your risk of cataracts is up to five times higher than usual. You're also more likely to develop cataracts earlier in life. Medical experts believe the increased risk occurs because high blood sugar leads to eye lens deposits that obscure your vision.
Glaucoma
As with cataracts, glaucoma isn't limited to diabetics, but you're twice as likely to develop this disease if you have diabetes. Dr. DeAngelis performs glaucoma screenings as part of comprehensive eye exams at Brandywine Vision Associates, P.C., but it's especially important for diabetics.
Diabetic eye exams can also identify other problems within your body, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both issues common in people with diabetes.
How often do I need diabetic eye care?
Dr. DeAngelis recommends a diabetic eye exam schedule for your needs. Many people have yearly exams, but if you have rapidly-changing vision or quickly-developing eye disease, you may need more frequent exams.
Call Brandywine Vision Associates, P.C., or click on the provided scheduling link to arrange your diabetic eye exam now.
