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A doctor explains diabetic eye disease, and how to
treat the condition.
Diabetes is a disease that affects blood vessels, and it affects
blood vessels all over the body.
Unfortunately, diabetic damage in the eye leads to vision loss.
And what happens is these abnormal blood vessels often leak;
they leak fluid, they leak oils, and they can bleed.
And there are various treatments for diabetic eye disease.
It's very important for patients who have diabetes to control their
blood sugars well, because that is the most effective way of avoiding
damage and loss of vision.
If a person has diabetic eye disease, there are a few treatments
we may be recommending.
One of them uses a laser to help control the swelling or growth
of abnormal blood vessels.
Another involves injections of medicines either into the eye
or around the eye.
Patients with diabetic eye disease also get cataracts at a higher rate,
and should not be surprised if their eye doctor talks to them about
cataracts and possible improvement of vision
with cataract surgery.
People with diabetes need to see an eye care professional
at least once a year.
The reason is that the early changes from diabetes oftentimes
are not recognized by the patient, by signs of any vision loss.
They will be seeing fine, and there can be early disease in the eye that
can only be detected by a dilated eye exam.
For more information about eye health, about finding an eye care
professional, or about locating an organization that can provide
financial assistance for eye care, please refer to our website.
That is www.nei.nih.gov.