Diabetic Eye Exams in Dallas & Area

Diabetes & Eye Disease

Diabetes is a systemic disease that impacts how your body processes glucose (sugar). When there is too much glucose in your bloodstream, it can cause complications with your heart, teeth, and eyes.

Diabetes increases your chance of developing eye diseases, including:

• Diabetic retinopathy – Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in your retina become damaged or blocked due to higher amounts of sugar in your bloodstream. This can cause the vessels to leak or bulge, permanently damaging your vision.
• Open-angle glaucoma – Open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases, and the chances of developing this disease double in patients with diabetes.
• Diabetic macular edema – Diabetic macular edema (DME) forms when diabetic retinopathy is not addressed. When the blood vessels in the retina swell and leak, they can cause the macula to swell as well. This swelling can severely damage the macula, causing blindness.

Diabetes can also increase your risk of developing other conditions that can compromise your vision, such as cataracts.