Your Overall Health Can Affect Your Eye Health

Have you ever stopped to consider what kind of effect your overall health can have on your eyes? Diabetes can increase your risk of developing a range of eye conditions and diseases, even some that can cause vision loss!

If you have diabetes, your eyes need extra protection. We structure our eye exams to search for potential eye health issues while ensuring your experience is comfortable, convenient, and informative.

We’re ready to help you preserve your vision at Total Vision Hercules, formerly known as Hercules Optometry Group.

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What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a systemic condition that affects how your body produces or uses insulin.

Insulin is a crucial hormone your body uses to transfer glucose (or sugar) into your blood cells for energy. If glucose isn’t absorbed into your blood cells, you’ll have high blood sugar, an issue that can affect your heart, teeth, and eyes.

High blood sugar levels can cause temporary blurred vision and increase your risk of eye disease if it remains too high for too long. However, with the help of your family doctor and our eye care team, you can develop a plan that can manage your blood sugar and preserve your health.

Common Diabetic Eye Diseases & Conditions

Diabetic Retinopathy & Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic eye disease occurs when high blood sugar damages your retina’s blood vessels, causing them to swell, break, and leak fluids into your retina and macula.

One of the most common diabetic eye diseases is diabetic retinopathy, which occurs as blood vessels leak fluid and damage your retina. In advanced stages, abnormal blood vessels can create scar tissue, increasing your risk of retinal detachment.

Diabetic macular edema can also develop when your retina’s blood vessels start leaking fluids. As fluids pool under your macula, it can swell, damaging your central vision.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. There are many types of glaucoma, but the most common is open-angle glaucoma.

Diabetes can double your risk for open-angle glaucoma, which can develop over the years without noticeable symptoms. However, eye exams can help detect this disease early in its development, allowing you to manage your symptoms.

Please visit our Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management page to learn more about glaucoma.

Cataracts

Cataracts develop as your eye’s natural lens proteins clump together as you age, making your lens rigid and opaque. Diabetes can increase your risk of developing this issue at a younger age than usual.

As cataracts develop, light entering your eye is restricted, leading to hazy or blurry vision. You may see better with contact lenses or glasses, but advanced cases of cataracts can lead to blindness. Cataract surgery can remove the cataract lens and replace it with an artificial one matched to your needs.

We’re Ready to Help!

Our selection of advanced technology can help uncover signs of eye disease and diabetes before you even notice symptoms. We’re ready to help manage your eye health. All you have to do is book your appointment today!

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Where to Find Us

You can find us on the first floor of Aventine Apartments right on Sycamore Avenue. Find angled parking right outside with accessibility options available.