Diabetic Retinopathy

Are you experiencing nearsightedness?  Are you diabetic?  Have you been a diabetic for over 15 years? Are you experiencing loss of vision? 

Diabetes is a disease in which the body's ability to regulate blood sugar becomes impaired.  When blood sugar is out of control, your lens swells, causing nearsightedness.  Changing your eyeglass prescription during periods of poor glucose control is generally not recommended because this condition is usually temporary.

Diabetes also increases your risk of developing serious vision problems including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and double vision.

Vision Loss Prevention with Regular Eye Exams

Diabetic Retinopathy results from damage to the blood vessels that supply the retina.  It is the leading cause of vision loss in adults age 20 to 64 years of age, and afflicts approximately 90 percent of patients who have had diabetes for 15 years or more.  Juvenile diabetics are especially prone to the disease at an early age.  The condition may be aggravated by pregnancy or high blood pressure.  Fortunately, most vision loss can be prevented with regular eye examinations and early treatment.

"Between 40 to 45% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy."  Source: National Eye Institute

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ECOF is the most experienced Ophthalmology practice in Southwest Florida for over 35 years.