Diabetic Eyecare
How does diabetes affect vision?
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 700 million people will have diabetes by the year 2045. Diabetic retinopathy remains a common complication of diabetes and a leading cause of preventable blindness in the adult working population.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease state (“pathy”) of the retina or your eye (“retino”) caused by diabetes.
Increased pressure in the tiny blood vessels of your eyes can disrupt the normal flow of blood and nutrients, causing serious problems. Further, your brain may tell new blood vessel “detours” to try and grow around the problem areas, which can cause more severe and noticeable vision problems.
Our Hong Kong optometrist can identify abnormal changes in your eyes via various tests including a slit lamp examination and either help diagnose diabetes in the first place or detect the onset of retinopathy.
*For expectant mothers experiencing vision changes, be sure to consult your eye doctor and general practitioner, as gestational diabetes can develop in those not diagnosed with diabetes.*
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy vary from noticeable to unnoticeable. Some of the more noticeable symptoms include:
- Reduced vision
- Spots
- Floaters
- Dark areas anywhere in your sight
- Less ability to see without increased lighting