Important Announcement: We've partnered with ReFocus Eye Health to best focus on providing the best patient care possible. Of course, our doctors and staff will remain the same but our name, logo, and website will be updated as we integrate with the ReFocus family of eye clinics. This will not affect your appointments or your patient experience in the least.

Important Annoucement: Our Blue Bell clinic is now closed. All patients from that office will be seen at our state-of-the-art North Wales location, where they can expect the same caliber of exceptional eye care and patient experience. This location is only 6 miles away and has ample parking.

Diabetes and the Eye

How Can Diabetes Affect My Eyes?

Ocular complications from diabetes are a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the United States. The longer a person has a diagnosis of diabetes and the longer the blood sugar is poorly controlled the higher the risk factor is to develop eye complications known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is when the blood vessels inside the retina weaken which causes them to swell, leak, or stop working all together. Once this occurs, abnormal blood vessels start to grow which can further complicate the retinal health.

Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Treated?

Certain presentations of diabetic retinopathy will require treatment which includes but is not limited to eye drops, laser procedures or medicine that is injected into the eye. Maintaining a good HgA1c, blood sugar levels and a healthy lifestyle which includes not smoking are key to help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy.

How Often Should I Have An Eye Exam If I Have Diabetes?

Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is key to preventing permanent visual damage. It is recommended that people who have diabetes get their eyes examined once a year.

Author

Lindsey Barouh, OD Lindsey Barouh, OD, is a board-certified optometrist at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC, where she treats patients at the practice’s offices in Blue Bell, North Wales, and Hatboro, Pennsylvania. As an optometrist, Dr. Barouh's areas of special interest include routine eye care, such as contact lenses and the management and treatment of various ocular diseases. Like her colleagues, Dr. Barouh is committed to providing compassionate care and comprehensive vision treatment to patients throughout Greater Philadelphia. She treats every patient as an individual, offering them the most personalized care in a warm, welcoming environment.

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