Dynamic Vision Protection for Patients with Diabetes

Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in Canada. As such, those with diabetes must be especially mindful about caring for their eyes.

Diabetes can increase a person’s risk for numerous ocular diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. However, some diabetic eye diseases (such as glaucoma) are unlikely to present symptoms until they have progressed significantly. Those with diabetes should have regular eye exams to detect signs of these problems as soon as possible.

What Eye Diseases Can Diabetes Cause?

Diabetic Retinopathy & Diabetic Macular Edema

High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply the retina with nutrients. The resulting condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common type of diabetic eye disease.

If diabetic retinopathy becomes severe enough, it can also cause the macula to swell—a condition known as diabetic macular edema. Since the macula controls central vision, diabetic macular edema can prevent a person from reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema cause irreversible vision loss. It’s essential for people with diabetes to undergo regular eye exams so their eye doctors can detect and treat these conditions as early as possible.

Glaucoma

Adults who have diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop open-angle glaucoma as those who do not. Many cases of glaucoma occur when pressure builds up inside the eye and damages the optic nerve.

The 4 most common types of glaucoma are open-angle, angle-closure, secondary, and childhood. Most types of glaucoma do not show noticeable symptoms until permanent vision loss has already occurred. Comprehensive eye exams test the pressure in a patient’s eyes to help identify early warning signs of glaucoma so that vision loss can be curtailed.

Cataracts

The eye’s lens is typically clear, but sometimes it can cloud over and obscure vision. These phenomena, known as cataracts, usually appear as a person ages. However, cataracts can also result from eye injuries or diabetes.

Moreover, those with diabetes are likely to develop cataracts much sooner than people without it. Eye exams can help your eye doctor diagnose cataracts early and provide you with effective treatment strategies.

How Often Should People with Diabetes Have Eye Exams?

The best way to prevent diabetic eye diseases from causing severe and permanent problems is to catch them early. People with diabetes should have eye exams at least once a year to detect such diseases while measures can still be taken to treat them.

Eye exams can also be used to detect and diagnose diabetes. We recommend that everyone schedule comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis to maintain their ocular health and detect potentially severe conditions.

Have you had an eye exam lately? Schedule an appointment with us today and let us help you protect your health and vision.

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Our Location in Stoney Creek

Where to Find Us?

You can find Perception Eyecare in the Southmount Health Care Centre in the Fortinos Plaza.

Where To Park?

We’re located in a standalone health centre with ample free parking on 3 sides of the building.

Our Address

35 Upper Centennial Parkway,
Unit 1B
Stoney Creek, ON L8J 3W2

Contact Information

Phone: (289) 309-1090
Fax: 289-309-1030
Email: [email protected]

Hours of Operation

Monday

11 AM – 7 PM

Tuesday

10 AM – 7 PM

Wednesday

9 AM – 5 PM

Thursday

10 AM – 7 PM

Friday

9 AM – 5 PM

Saturday

9 AM – 2 PM

Sunday

Closed

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