Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels are chronically high and your pancreas creates little to no insulin. The condition is associated with multiple eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. While we have treatments for diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes must manage their blood sugar levels to maintain their overall health and their eye health. If you have diabetes, need general eye care, or an eye exam in Chico, CA, consider contacting our Chico Vision Care Optometry team.
Diabetes and Your Eye Health
Diabetes is a significant or the primary contributor to several severe eye diseases, leading to poor vision or blindness when untreated. Diabetic retinopathy is a significant problem as the most common diabetes-related eye disease. High blood sugar levels result in swelling in the retina's blood vessels. The swelling leads to new blood vessel growth, and those blood vessels often bleed, causing retinal damage. The blood vessels in the macula (at the retina's center) can also swell, causing macular edema.
Non-Surgical Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments
Those with diabetes must make lifestyle changes and take medication to reduce the impact of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Both approaches work best in the early stages of the disease before significant damage has occurred. Lifestyle changes that can have a powerful impact on diabetes consistently include:
• Measuring blood sugar levels
• Exercising and losing weight
• Taking all prescribed medications
• Modifying your diet to include more non-starchy vegetables and lean meat
• Scheduling eye exams
Treating Diabetic Retinopathy Surgically
Diabetic retinopathy treatment includes laser or other surgeries. Laser surgery is relatively noninvasive and is intended to shrink the retina's abnormal blood vessels and prevent leakage.
A more invasive approach is vitrectomy. When performing a vitrectomy, the surgeon removes the vitreous gel inside your eyes to provide access to the retina and perform the needed repairs. After completing the repairs, the surgeon refills the eyes with an oil or gas, which your body slowly replaces with the natural vitreous gel.
Quality Eye Care Near You in Chico, CA
If you live in or near Chico, CA, and need an eye doctor near you to treat your diabetic retinopathy or provide other vision care, contact the Chico Vision Care Optometry team. Call us today at (530) 342-9644 or schedule an appointment using our online request form.