Take a moment to gauge the health of your peepers. Unfortunately, eye and vision problems are a complication of diabetes. Having an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in eye care) on your team is important. An ophthalmologist can tell if your eyes have been affected by diabetes and, if so, can treat them with laser therapy to protect your vision.
Because it saves so many people from blindness, this treatment is one of the great advances in diabetes care over the past 30 years. Laser therapy works best if it is performed at the first sign of eye problems, which is why regular visits to the eye doctor are important.
The American Diabetes Association recommends you have a complete eye exam with an eye doctor every year if you were diagnosed with diabetes after the age of 30 (or if you are younger and have had diabetes for at least five years). Try to find an eye doctor who has experience treating people with diabetes. Ask your health care provider for a referral.
Reprinted from 101 Tips for Coping with Diabetes. Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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