Did you know that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults? The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on your health, especially if you have diabetes, and take proactive steps to safeguard it. Prioritizing your eye care now can set the foundation for a clearer, healthier future.
Understanding Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of conditions that can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated. These include:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Occurs when high blood sugar damages the retina’s blood vessels, causing swelling, leaks or abnormal growths that disrupt vision.
- Diabetic Macular Edema: Results when fluid builds up in the macula, the central part of the retina, leading to blurry or distorted vision.
- Cataracts: Develops when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, which can occur earlier and progress more quickly in people with diabetes.
- Glaucoma: Arises from increased pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve, often without any warning signs.
These conditions can develop silently, making regular, comprehensive eye exams essential to maintaining your vision.
Steps to Prevent Vision Loss
If you have diabetes, proactive care can protect your eyesight:
- Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Routine eye exams can detect early signs of diabetic eye disease before symptoms appear. Sadler Health Center’s vision specialists provide comprehensive exams to monitor your eye health and catch issues early. - Manage Your Health
Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels significantly reduces the risk of diabetic eye disease. Sadler’s care team creates personalized plans to help you maintain these levels and protect your overall health. - Recognize Warning Signs
While diabetic eye disease often progresses without symptoms, watch for:- Blurred vision
- Floaters or dark spots
- Faded colors
- Trouble seeing at night
- Increased sensitivity to light
If you notice these signs, schedule an eye exam promptly.
The American Optometric Association recommends that adults aged 18-64 schedule an eye exam at least once a year. Those at higher risk for eye diseases – such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts or glaucoma – should follow their eye doctor’s specific recommendations. For adults 65 and older, annual eye exams are essential, and more frequent visits may be necessary based on their doctor’s advice.
Sadler’s Vision Services
Sadler Health Center is dedicated to helping patients protect their vision and manage diabetes through:
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Our specialists check for diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and more. We monitor your retina’s blood vessels, track vision changes and provide tailored recommendations to keep your eyes healthy.
Integrated Care Model
Our “medical mall” model offers seamless access to vision, medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, nutrition and other services all in one place. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic diabetes management plan designed to improve outcomes for our patients.
Affordable, Family-Oriented Care
Sadler Health Center values the importance of eye care for all ages. We also believe quality vision services should be accessible to everyone. Sadler provides sliding fee scale discounts based on household size and income, ensuring quality eye care is accessible to everyone in our community.
Take Action
Start the new year off right! Make your vision a priority by scheduling an eye exam today.
Call us at 717-218-6670 to book your appointment.
New to Sadler? Register as a patient and schedule your first appointment here.
Your vision is worth protecting – take the first step today!